Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF EDUCATION in the Department of Educational Planning and Administration at the University of Zululand, 2000. / This research examined the role of principals in promoting teacher professionalism. The study made use of questionnaires to determine what principals do / do not do to promote and maintain teacher professionalism. On the basis of views from respondents, the study concluded that teachers in the areas studied, perceive some principals as promoting professional behaviour. The research project established that there are teachers who are unprofessional in some of the schools that were investigated. The research recommended strategies to enhance professionalism in schools.