Submitted to the Faculty ofArts in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of General Linguistics, at the University of Zululand, 2007. / This thesis reviewed the South African Constitution, the Language-in Education Policy (2004) and the National Language Policy Framework (2002), with the intention to compare certain promulgations on the issue of language use in South Africa. The constitution is unequivocal about the promotion of multilingual ism and use of indigenous languages. The study focused on the role which schools can play to achieve this objective. Schools are viewed as the most fertile ground toward the promotion of multilingualism, as stipulated by the South African Constitution (1996), particularly urban schools which are multiracial, with learners from different linguistic background. Data were solicited from schools in urban areas (English medium and Afrikaans medium), and those in rural areas (English and isiZulu medium). Comparisons were made between the two. The status of indigenous languages prior to and post 1994, is discussed. The study observed that while the South African government is committed to promote multilingualism, the documents (the constitution and the Language-in-Education Policy, 2004) are very good, but implementation of the stipulations of such documents is lacking. It was established that a considerable number of former Model C schools still offer the languages which were offered prior to the first democratic era, in 1994. Therefore, unless the government sanctions the language policies, schools cannot change what they have decided between the school principal and the School Governing Body (SGB), and which they have already implemented. The study concluded that besides the freer and wide speakership of indigenous languages their dignity and restoration also ought to be restored. This could be achieved easier if these languages were documented, and adequate material available in them in order to enable future generations to access information in their mother tongue if they choose to. Furthermore, if multilingualism is to bear fruit, indigenous African languages ought to be tied to employment, e.g. journalism, medical practice and nursing, revenue collectors, traffic officers, etc. In the case of medical doctors, for instance, they should know at least one indigenous language that is widely spoken in the area where they practice, regardless of their racial background. The idea here is that unless learners see the functional value in learning indigenous African languages, they might not be as strongly motivated to learn these languages as when they learn English.

MEd (Educational Management) / Department of Educational Mamagement / See the attached abstract below

Globally, there are numerous debates on what constitutes an effective school. Parents strive to choose what they regard as the best school for the education of their children. Historically, school effectiveness is a phenomenon associated with learner attainment. Yet, school effectiveness is measured and conceptualized differently throughout the world. The aim of this research was to determine and define the factors contributing to the effectiveness of secondary schools in the Free State Province of South Africa. A case study was conducted on six schools selected in the Free State Province. Data were collected qualitatively by means of semi-structured and focus-group interviews with principals, SMTs, teachers, SGBs, learning facilitators and school-management and -governance developers. A documentary analysis was carried out to triangulate data from interviews. The data collected were triangulated and supported by an extensive literature review on school effectiveness and improvement. In particular, the literature review encompassed the policy context of school effectiveness in South Africa, definitions of the concept of school effectiveness, models of school effectiveness, methods of evaluating school effectiveness, the relationship between school effectiveness and school improvement, change and school improvement, approaches to school improvement and the characteristics of effective schools. The legislative framework for both teacher and school evaluations is highlighted and their effectiveness critically reviewed with reference to current investigations in the field. These empirical investigations, which, form part of this larger qualitative research project, show that effective schools exhibited high learner attainment, effective teaching and learning, as well as a highly effective leadership and management. Management, leadership and administration, curriculum, school governance and VI school support structures were confirmed as very instrumental as far as school effectiveness and improvement are concerned. Furthermore the study indicates that the current policies are not enhancing school effectiveness and improvement, thus the study recommends the index of school effectiveness and improvement (ISE&I). The Index of School Effectiveness and Improvement, which is a document that schools can use to review and enhance their effectiveness, is a model developed in the course of this study to assist schools in improving their effectiveness. Unlike the WSE review, which takes place every five years, the index suggests a continuous and regular review process by schools carried out by all stakeholders. In conclusion, an overview of the challenges identified by this research project, as well as the aspects in need of further research, is highlighted. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

The promotion of multilingualism is one of the aims of the new language-in-education policy. It is a phenomenon which is reflective of our multilingual society. However, the means by which it is being promoted at school level needs to be investigated in light of the additive bilingualism model that has been stipulated in the language-in education policy. This dissertation focuses on a school in the Western Cape which offers many languages and is trying to meet the needs of its learners. The way in which multilingualism is experienced in the classrooms is observed from the learners, teachers and parents' perspectives in the hope of describing how it takes place in a secondary school setting. The ways in which teachers can promote multilingualism in the classroom are suggested by offering practical multilingual strategies for teaching and learning. The role of INSET in promoting multilingualism is also discussed. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Educational Management)

TQM has been identified as an approach that can be adopted to improve quality in business as well as in education. The main aim of this approach is to involve everybody in decision-making of the organization, in this case a school, with the purpose of achieving highest commitment from staff and customer satisfaction. TQM can be a way which can bring about changes in the education system. It is a philosophy with continuous improvement which can provide a set of practicable tools and techniques to meet the present and the future desires of any educational system. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the influence of TQM on school improvement in secondary schools in the Uthungulu District, Kwazulu-Natal. The questionnaires were handed to schools in the Uthungulu District which is made up of 5 circuits, namely, Umhlathuze Circuit, Umfolozi Circuit, Umlalazi Circuit, Mthonjaneni Circuit and Inkandla Circuit. The research concentrated mainly on School Management Teams (SMTs) and Post Level 1 educators (PL1 educators) from senior secondary schools (high schools). On the whole, respondents in the study area have shown a positive attitude towards understanding the significance of Total Quality Management principles in schools. The findings seem to suggest that everyone has a responsibility of encouraging implementation of TQM in schools. It is important to develop quality management systems, because without them, it is impossible to implement. The quality improvement teams should be empowered to manage themselves and provide programmes that will enable them to be more effective. The proposed model of the study provides information about basic elements and factors which need to be taken into cognisance during the TQM and implementation process. The model identifies the main principles of TQM with continuous improvement at the centre of them all. The main aim of implementing TQM in school should be continuous improvement. / Educational Management and Leadership / D. Ed. (Education Management)

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research project focuses on an investigation into the Policy of Whole School Development as a tool to ensure a quality education for all at school level. The research was conducted within the study field of Project Management as the policy has a systems approach to the management of schools and Project Management can be used in its application. The study takes the form of a literature study, evaluating approximately 23 sources. These sources contain research by knowledgeable authors on the topics covered in this research. The research is divided into the following sections: • An introduction explaining the relationship between project management and the Policy of Whole School Development. • An investigation into the Policy of Whole School Development and its proposed application to ensure quality standards of education. A framework for the evaluation of the contexts of schools to bring about holistic change is proposed. • An investigation into the systems approach to project management, systems theory and the requirements for its application in organisations like schools. • An investigation into the micro- and macro context of a school in a previously disadvantaged area to highlight the social, political and economic problems and their magnitude, thus necessitating a systems approach in dealing with it. • An investigation into and a comparison of the historical roles and the changing roles of, the problems experienced by and the benefits derived from NGO's and the state respectively as agents of service delivery. • A proposed project management plan for the implementation of the environmental aspect of whole school development. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studieprojek fokus op 'n ondersoek van die Beleid van "Whole School Development" as 'n metode om 'n kwalitiet opvoeding vir almal op skoolvlak te verseker. Die navorsing is gedoen in die studie veld van Projekbestuur omdat hierdie beleid 'n stelselbenadering vir die implementering daarvan volg. Projekbestuur kan gebruik word in die toepassing hiervan. Die navorsing neem die vorm aan van 'n literatuur studie van ongeveer 23 bronne. Hierdie bronne bevat navorsing deur toonaangewende skrywers op die verskillende gebiede wat in hierdie navorsing gedek word. Die navorsing is in die volgende dele verdeel: • 'n Inleiding wat die verhouding tussen projekbestuur en die Beleid van "Whole School Development" verduidelik. • 'n Ondersoek van die Beleid van Whole School Development" en die voorsgestelde toepassing daarvan om kwaliteit standaarde te verseker en die voorgestelde raamwerk vir die evaluasie van die konteks waarin skole hulle bevind. • 'n Ondersoek van die stelsel benadering tot projekbestuur, die stelsels teoriee en die vereistes vir die toepassing daarvan in groot organisasies soos skole. • Navorsing oor die mikro - en makro konteks van 'n skool in 'n sub-ekonomiese gebied om die sosiale, ekonomiese en politieke probleme uit te lig en die omvang daarvan te beskryf - 'n omvang wat stelselbenadering benodig. • Navorsing oor en 'n vergelyking van die historiese en veranderde rolle van, die probleme wat ondervind word deur en die voordele wat verkry word van Nie-Regerings Organisasies en die staat respektiewelik as agente van dienslewering. • 'n Voorgestelde projekbestuur plan vir die implementering van die omgewingsaspek van "Whole School Development".

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / In this study I explore the perceptions and experiences that matriculants have of the culture in their particular school. I argue that in order for the principals of these four schools to improve the relationship between staff and learners and to improve pass rates, it is important that they know how the culture in their school affects learners and that they learn how to connect with the learners through the culture in their school. I highlight the importance of the school culture through an explorative and descriptive research design. I look at the elements that make up the characteristics of an organisation’s culture and how a school could cultivate a healthy learning environment for learners. I refer to emotional intelligence as an important aspect of this transformation for which both learners and staff have to take responsibility. I also stress the fact that each school has its own personality and therefore it should be noted that the findings, conclusions and the recommendations cannot be generalised. Each school needs to be considered in the light of its own personality and therefore its own organisational culture will determine what the learners and staff need to do to improve education in their school. In the study, I refer to teachers as change agents in their school because they know the learners well and have a huge influence on them. The principal as curriculum leader should however take the lead in the process and through his or her leadership style should model the behaviour they want to see in their schools. The principal is seen to be the one to take responsibility for this process of change and manage expectations both inside the school and outside of the school. In order to be more effective and create a healthy learning environment, the teachers need to be more acutely aware of the learners around them, how they learn and take in information. In addition to that they need to have knowledge of their own teaching style. The four schools involved in the study were chosen because they represent both formerly advantaged and formerly disadvantaged areas. This has since changed, but it has not influenced the culture of the school that much. It has helped the schools to be more open to diversity and multiculturalism, but it has not really changed the operating system of the school that much. The learners are proud to be associated with their respective schools and do not feel that they are in any way treated unequally in their school. Problems such as learners dropping out from school, using substances and falling pregnant while still at school are a reality in these schools. Learners feel their peers need to concentrate on their education and should ask for help if need be, however each person is different and the way they deal with situations in life is different. A lot depends on the support a learner has. My argument is that if these learners are supported and cared for they will do much better in school and they will be less likely to drop out of school. The thesis is concluded with a few recommendations to the principals of these schools as well as suggestions for future studies.

“We often spend too much time coping with problems along our path that we forget why we are on that path” Peter Senge This study describes and analyses the implementation of Organisation Development (OD) to a previously disadvantaged school. OD is a relatively new method of planned change in South Africa. Unlike more traditional change initiatives, OD promotes collaboration; it tries to involve all members of an organisation in problem solving and decision-making. It is an applied behavioural science discipline dedicated to improving organisations and the people in them. Previously disadvantaged schools in South Africa continue to be disadvantaged. Ten years after the introduction of democracy there have been few changes in some of these schools and some seem to be getting worse. This study was an attempt to introduce a process of planned change to one such school. Since 1994 many changes have been imposed on our schools with new curricula, increased class sizes, changes in systems of assessment and teaching methods and the abolishment of past procedures such as corporal punishment. Teachers have had little say in any of these changes and this has resulted in resistance, resignation, frustration and in many cases a lack of ability to cope. OD was introduced to Acacia High School in the form of a Survey Data Feedback (SDF). An action research process followed and a diagnosis was made followed by action planning and then the execution of a plan. My study follows this process and the implementation of the plan describing its successes. Sadly change was not sustained and I highlight some of the challenges that face the school in order to bring about real long-term improvement in the culture of learning and teaching.

This study explores educational leadership development and social change strategies pioneered by one programme, the Educational Leadership Management and Development (ELMD) programme of the University of Fort Hare. The programme seeks to model a way of doing social and educational transformation through educational leadership development. Conceptually, the model was meant to draw together a number of education stakeholders operating at various levels of the schooling system to undergo the same programme of leadership development. The programme participants, who included district education officials, schools principals, members of school management teams, educators and members of School Governing Bodies, were to enrol as teams. They would work on learning tasks that were both academic and practical in nature, with an emphasis on experiential learning that leads to the creation of district and community networks of partners, development teams or forums and communities of practice, as well as the production and implementation of district and school development plans. Informed by this conceptual position, the study was structured by two underlying questions. First, whether the ELMD was re-inventing educational leadership beyond the traditional focus on principalship towards one that is inclusive of other education stakeholders. Second, how leadership development as a vehicle for social and educational change can be carried out. The research process was guided by a multi-paradigm perspective which drew heavily on the interpretive and critical science orientations. This led to the crafting of research methods that looked for data that would assist in an understanding of what was happening in the programme, as well as what power dynamics were at play and with what consequences for innovation. The evidence emanating from the study suggests a number of possibilities for consideration by future leadership development programme designers. First, the ELMD programme delivery design shows what can be done to draw participants from various levels of the schooling system, district, school and community and teach them educational leadership together in a mode that mobilizes them for change. Second, how social distance separating different levels of the education hierarchy and status consciousness may disappear gradually as people are brought together to work on tasks of mutual concern. Third, after a year of engagement with ELMD ideas and approach, the participants in the programme appeared to have started a journey of selftransformation towards becoming qualitatively different people who saw themselves as teams capable of tackling education and social problems in their schools and communities. These participants had begun to forge working networks, but the extent to which these could be characterized as knowledge ecosystems and communities of practice remains a question to explore. Fourth, that the current higher education accreditation policies and practices do not accommodate innovative learning approaches of the kind that the ELMD is developing. In this regard, the ELMD experienced difficulties in coming up with an assessment policy and practices which meet the academic as well as the practical developmental concerns of the programme. Fifth, programme instrumentalities and mandates that are put in place do not, in themselves, bring about change. The actual change comes about through the actions of human leadership capable of navigating between structural enablers and constraints.

Globally, there are numerous debates on what constitutes an effective school. Parents strive to choose what they regard as the best school for the education of their children. Historically, school effectiveness is a phenomenon associated with learner attainment. Yet, school effectiveness is measured and conceptualized differently throughout the world. The aim of this research was to determine and define the factors contributing to the effectiveness of secondary schools in the Free State Province of South Africa. A case study was conducted on six schools selected in the Free State Province. Data were collected qualitatively by means of semi-structured and focus-group interviews with principals, SMTs, teachers, SGBs, learning facilitators and school-management and -governance developers. A documentary analysis was carried out to triangulate data from interviews. The data collected were triangulated and supported by an extensive literature review on school effectiveness and improvement. In particular, the literature review encompassed the policy context of school effectiveness in South Africa, definitions of the concept of school effectiveness, models of school effectiveness, methods of evaluating school effectiveness, the relationship between school effectiveness and school improvement, change and school improvement, approaches to school improvement and the characteristics of effective schools. The legislative framework for both teacher and school evaluations is highlighted and their effectiveness critically reviewed with reference to current investigations in the field. These empirical investigations, which, form part of this larger qualitative research project, show that effective schools exhibited high learner attainment, effective teaching and learning, as well as a highly effective leadership and management. Management, leadership and administration, curriculum, school governance and VI school support structures were confirmed as very instrumental as far as school effectiveness and improvement are concerned. Furthermore the study indicates that the current policies are not enhancing school effectiveness and improvement, thus the study recommends the index of school effectiveness and improvement (ISE&I). The Index of School Effectiveness and Improvement, which is a document that schools can use to review and enhance their effectiveness, is a model developed in the course of this study to assist schools in improving their effectiveness. Unlike the WSE review, which takes place every five years, the index suggests a continuous and regular review process by schools carried out by all stakeholders. In conclusion, an overview of the challenges identified by this research project, as well as the aspects in need of further research, is highlighted. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)