For many years the South African educational platform has been the target of international and national criticism for its apartheid ideals. Since 1994 the former Model C high school has endured a changing landscape characterised by the ideals of educational transformation. However, the current face of the former Model C high school has been marred by the challenge of learner ill-discipline. This research aimed to explore the challenges experienced by female principals in a former Model C high school. A literature review focussed on female leadership and school discipline through the lens of a theoretical framework based on the ethics of care and transformational leadership theories. Using a qualitative case study design, data were collected and analysed. The analysis revealed that school discipline was a major challenge to the principal personally and professionally, and to the school. It further highlighted the strong need for support by the Department of Education. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Education Management)

Workplace bullying studies have gathered an increasing impetus among researchers throughout the world in the last decade. Previous research has concentrated on bullying in the context of students. Recent research has shifted focus towards workplace bullying of staff by managers. Little is known of upwards bullying where staff members bully managers or students bully their teachers. In this study, workplace bullying focuses on the bullying of teaching staff by the School Management Team. The researcher used the qualitative method for this study. Questionnaires were administered to 80 teachers. Interviews were held with eight members of the School Management Team (SMT) and ten teachers who perceived that they had been subjected to bullying. Data was coded and arranged thematically using Colaizzi’s (1978) phenomenological method of analysis. Results indicate that bullying of the teaching staff thrives in all schools but with varying degrees to certain teachers who are vulnerable due to social and environmental circumstances. The researcher recommends that schools identify cases of bullying and develop an anti- bullying policy that is incorporated in the whole school development strategy. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

It became known that South African learners’ learning outcomes rank poorly on the international stage, even if compared to less developed parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. The root cause of this problem is assumed to lie with the concern of illiteracy, which was argued, could be combated inter alia by ensuring that every public school has a stocked and functional library serviced by a fulltime proficient librarian. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of principals in establishing and managing functional school libraries in the King Cetshwayo District, KwaZulu-Natal. A qualitative investigation was done amongst school principals and their teacher librarians at five Dlangubo Circuit Schools. Data were collected by means of in-depth interviews and document analysis. The study revealed that the principals lack the training and resources to fulfil their role in establishing and maintaining functional school libraries. Recommendations were made on how principals might solve these problems in the future. / Dit het aan die lig gekom dat Suid-Afrikaanse leerders se leeruitkomste swak in die internasionale arena vertoon, selfs indien dit met minder-ontwikkelde dele van Sub-Sahara-Afrika vergelyk word. Daar word aanvaar dat die oorsaak van hier probleem vermoedelik die probleem van ongeletterdheid is, wat onder andere oorkom kan word deur te verseker dat elke openbare skool oor ’n toegeruste en funksionele biblioteek beskik wat deur ’n voltydse, bekwame bibliotekaris bestuur word. Hierdie studie ondersoek die rol van skoolhoofde in die vestiging en bestuur van funksionele skoolbiblioteke in die King Cetshwayo-distrik in KwaZulu-Natal. Daar is by vyf skole in die Dlangubu-streek ’n kwalitatiewe ondersoek met behulp van skoolhoofde en hulle onderwyser-bibliotekarisse gedoen. Data is met behulp van diepgaande onderhoude en dokumentanalise versamel. Die studie het aan die lig gebring dat die skoolhoofde ’n gebrek aan opleiding en hulpbronne het ten einde hulle rol in die vestiging en handhawing van funksionele skoolbiblioteke te vervul. Aanbevelings is gemaak oor hoe skoolhoofde in die toekoms moontlik hierdie probleme kan oplos. / Kuvele ukuthi imiphumela yokufunda abafundi baseNingizimu Afrika isezingeni eliphansi mayikeliswe neyamazwengamazwe ngisho noma isiqhathaniswa neyezingxenye ezingaka thuthuki kahle zase- Sub-Saharan Africa. Umsuka walenkinga kusolwa ukuthi udalwa ukungakhuthazwa ukufunda izincwadi nokubhala ,okuyinto okuthiwa ingaqedwa phakathi kokunye ngokuqinisekisa ukuthi zonke izikole zomphakathi zinomtapo wolwazi onezinsizakufunda nezinsizakusebenza ezanele ezisezingeni labantwana nothisha futhi owenganyelwe uthisha oqeqeshiwe ngokusebenza komtapo futhi osebenza ngokugcwele ukuqondana nomtapo wesikole. Inhloso yocwaningo ukuphenya indima yothishanhloko ekusunguleni nasekuphatheni imitapo esebenza ngendlela efanele ezikoleni zase e-King Cetshwayo District, KwaZulu-Natal. Uphenyo olunzulu lwenziwe kothishomkhulu kanye nakothisha ababakhethe ukuthi babuye babhekane nokusebenza nokuphathwa kwe -mitapo yolwazi ezikoleni zabo ezinhlanu ezise Dlangubo Circuit. Ulwazi lwaqoqwa ngama in-depth interviews kanye nokuhlaziywa kwezincwadi abasebenza ngazo ukuze umtapo wolwazi wesikole usebenze ngendlela efanele.Lolu cwaningo luveze ukuthi othishanhloko bashoda ngoqeqesho kwezokuphathwa komtapo wolwazi ezikoleni kanye nezinsizakufunda kubalwa nezinsiza kusebenza eziqondene nokusebenza kahle komtapo wolwazi ezikoleni ukuze bakwazi ukufeza indima yabo ekusunguleni nasekuphatheni gendlala imitapo yolwazi esebenza kahle ezikoleni zabo. Izincomo zenziwe ezikhombisa ukuthi othishanhloko bangazixazulula kanjani lezi zinkinga esikhathini esizayo. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The transition from apartheid education to the present education system in South Africa caused a myriad of challenges pertaining to curriculum implementation and management. Therefore, this study was aimed at exploring the extent to which School Management Teams (SMTs) were able to manage curriculum implementation in primary schools within Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province in South Africa after the inception of the contemporary curriculum, CAPS. The study focused primarily on the SMTs, which comprise the principal, deputy principal, Heads of Departments, subject heads, and senior teachers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of SMTs in terms of curriculum management in primary schools. A qualitative research approach was chosen, employing data collection methods which included individual interviews, focus group interviews, non-participant observation and documents analysis. Therefore, this study is embedded in a constructivist or interpretivists paradigm which is used to understand and describe human nature. A phenomenological model of naturalistic inquiry categories was used to describe the meanings of lived experiences. Instructional leadership and classical management theories were used as a lens for interpreting aspects about the management of curriculum implementation. Purposive sampling was used to select information-rich participants; the SMTs because they were considered to be knowledgeable and informative concerning the management of curriculum implementation in schools. Sekhukhune District consists of five local municipalities. One primary school was purposefully selected from each local municipality. Thus, five primary schools were selected for the purpose of this study. vi The study revealed that for effective management of curriculum implementation, the SMTs need to incorporate both management and leadership constructs in their application. Without appropriate leadership and management, effective teaching and learning cannot prevail in schools. Moreover, the quality of leadership and management in schools is a prerequisite for the schools’ efficacy. / Educational Management and Leadership / D. Ed. (Education Management)

The study focused on the role of the school management team in curriculum change management. Apart from a literature review, an empirical investigation based on a qualitative research paradigm involving semi-structured individual and focus group interviews was used to collect data at three secondary schools in the Tshilamba circuit in Limpopo Province. Literature findings revealed that although, in the first place, politically inclined the introduction of Curriculum 2005 was also steered by the socio-economic needs of the country. Empirical findings elicited that although managing curriculum changes was a challenging effort on account of an initial and continuous lack of adequate training, the school management teams of the selected schools were acquainted with significant knowledge and skills on curriculum change management. This pertains to lesson plan management, supporting and monitoring educators, managing the school register and timetable and managing school finances to select teaching and learning resources. / Further Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Educational Management)

In this qualitative study, the researcher intended to establish factors that could create a positive culture of teaching and learning at school. Findings revealed that a culture of teaching and learning can be created by factors that relate to the learners, the educators and the school setting. Findings established that learners are motivated if they participate in sports, educational trips and competitions. Learners who receive incentives for outstanding achievements and participate in the management of the school are also motivated. Motivational talks and learner's exchange programmes enhance ambition. Motivated educators are enthusiastic and creativel. Such educators are considerate to learners' personal circumstances and they have the welfare of learners at heart. An edequate supply of resources and security facilities can improve the quality of education at school. Visionary school managers who uphold a particular philosophy of life and cherish Christian values are inclined to success at school. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Education Management)

Studies on women principals and leadership have been conducted in both developed and developing countries. Not much research on women leadership has been undertaken in Sekhukhune region in rural Limpopo, South Africa. The study’s interests were in the representation of women in leadership in this region. It sought to explore leadership experiences of women principals working in secondary schools in rural areas. In addition, the study sought to understand what led to their appointment, particularly in a deeply traditional and patriarchal society such as Sekhukhune region, considering both barriers as well as enhancers and how they impacted on their progress to principalship. Data were collected by means of qualitative methods; semi-structured interviews were held with six women principals from public schools only. Structured observation was also conducted during school visits, as well during interviews wherein field notes were also taken. School documents such as SGB and minute books, some policy documents, noticeboard documents, time-books, attendance registers were analysed. Existing literature on women and leadership was reviewed. Data collected was transcribed, analysed, interpreted, and findings were presented. Women principals spoke of their everyday work experiences within the context of sharing challenges and strengths in their careers. The study found out that women are their own motivators, which serves as a strong enhancer. However, women still face organisational barriers particularly in the selection procedures where gender discrimination is evident. Findings revealed that women principals continue to face myriad administrative and personal challenges when caring out their managerial duties. These include resistance from communities and staff often displayed by stereotypical attitudes and discrimination. In order to cope with some of the challenges, participants in this study innovatively employed various leadership styles such as care and nurturing, collaboration, androgyneity and spirituality. Stereotyping still exists as leadership is viewed from a male perspective. In conclusion, this study discovered that women principals displayed some values of liberal feminism in their leadership experiences; they demonstrated that they can do great things by taking part in the public sphere. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Educational Leadership and Management)

The researcher explored problems that hamper the implementation of the HIV/AIDS Policy at a specific public high school in KwaZulu-Natal. The research was designed as a qualitative single case study. Various data collection methods were implemented: a one-on-one interview was conducted with the principal, while the SMT and Life Orientation team took part in focus groups and the school governing body members completed a questionnaire. The researcher succeeded in answering the research question: Which problems hamper the implementation of the HIV/AIDS Policy at the participant high school in KwaZulu-Natal? She identified the principal and school governing body’s limited knowledge of their obligations with regard to the implementation of the HIV/AIDS Policy, different beliefs and myths related to specific ethnic groups towards HIV/AIDS, non-disclosure as a result of negative stigma and discrimination, the lack of cooperation from parents, cultural and religious beliefs as the main problems hindering the implementation of the HIV/AIDS Policy at this school. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The National Senior Certificate Grade 12 results in the Pinetown District between 2010 and 2015 revealed that a number of township and rural schools are struggling to obtain an overall 60% pass rate. But some schools in similar circumstances managed to achieve above this pass percentage. The study sought to enquire about the role of school management teams (SMTs) in managing factors that influenced learner academic performance in Grade 12 examinations The study was conducted in three purposely selected public schools that each surpassed the 60 percent overall pass in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations in the Pinetown District, KwaZulu-Natal. The study employed a qualitative approach and was located in the interpretive paradigm. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews and document analysis. The identities of all respondents were protected. Upon analysis of results, several measures the schools applied emerged. Topics for future research are also suggested. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

This research investigates the relationship between the attitude of senior secondary mathematics educators towards school and the achievement of their learners. A literature study examined research into the relationships between an educator's attitude towards his or her school management team, colleagues, learners, parents, the subject of mathematics and the factors influencing mathematics achievement. An empirical investigation used a quantitative research design to collect data from selected senior secondary schools in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A questionnaire was used to gather data and a statistical data analysis was conducted to calculate frequencies and test hypotheses. Findings indicated the existence of a relationship between educators' attitudes towards school and the achievement of their learners. It was therefore recommended that school managers should be very sensitive to the climate prevailing in their schools in order to encourage mathematics educators and thus, indirectly, learners in this vital subject. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Didactics)