This study investigated the factors that affect the job satisfaction of principals of previously disadvantaged secondary schools in the North West Province. The aims of the study were to determine empirically, through quantitative and qualitative means, the factors that influence the job satisfaction of the principals, and to make recommendations of ways to improve their job satisfaction. In the quantitative phase the research design was a survey. Data were collected from a purposefully selected sample of 30 principals of 30 secondary schools conveniently situated and accessible, in rural villages and townships. Thereafter a phenomenological approach was used to select eight principals from the same sample. The aim was to, by means of interviews, find clarity on the trends observed in the quantitative phase. The researcher purposefully selected participants representing a maximum variation regarding gender, geographical location, and years of experience as a teacher or a headmaster. The results indicated that the factors that enhanced the job satisfaction of the selected principals related to the nature of their work in the sense that it was stimulating, important and varied. Their interpersonal relationships were also gratifying. These relationships referred to cooperative staff, appreciative colleagues and supervisors, well-behaved learners, and supportive parents. Specific factors also brought about job dissatisfaction. In particular, the majority of the principals were frustrated with poor management on the part of the Department of Education. This was linked to a lack of autonomy of the principals, excessive bureaucracy, and poor policies. The principals believed that these policies exacerbated the problems they already had with ill-disciplined learners, the poor work ethics of some educators, unsatisfactory matriculation results, pitiable physical working conditions, and uninvolved parents.Results from the research also showed that the principals thought their workloads were not aligned to their salaries, and that reward systems were needed. Recommendations to enhance the job satisfaction of the principals of the identified secondary schools were made to the SGB and other school managers, as well as to the Department of Education, and recommendations for future research were also put forward. Finally, a number of limitations of the study were pointed out. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Education Management)

School principals have a key role to play in managing educators with HIV/AIDS because it poses a serious threat to the quality of education provision. The aim of this study was to identify needs and challenges facing school principals in managing educators with HIV/AIDS and to provide school principals with in-depth information on how to manage educators with HIV/AIDS. A literature study was conducted to determine the impact of HIV/AIDS on the education sector. In order to obtain a better understanding of the problem, a qualitative research strategy was used. Data collection was done through individual interviews with school principals and focus group interviews with educators. Data analysis was done using Colaizzi‟s phenomenological approach. The findings of the research confirmed that HIV/AIDS has a disruptive effect on education provision. Finally, recommendations were made to address the identified problems. / Further Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The researcher’s interest in this study is in teachers’ perceptions and principals of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS). This study examines teachers’ understandings of this quality management and performance appraisal system, how teachers perceive the instrument used to manage and monitor their performance and the performance of their schools, and what lessons may be learnt regarding the implementation process of the IQMS. The investigation was carried out in three Butterworth District schools in the Eastern Cape. The researcher made use of qualitative methodology to obtain data from a sample of 3 principals, 9 teachers and 1 district official. Data were collected from these respondents by means of in-depth, semi-structured interviews and through document analysis. The study found that some of the teachers and principals felt that they did not understand the IQMS, and they complained that the system is fraught with many obstacles that need to be addressed in order to promote the effectiveness of teaching and learning. The participants also spoke of multiple factors that contribute negatively to this phenomenon, which include the fact that the teachers’ workload is increased by the IQMS, time constraints, inadequate training, vague and unfamiliar language, the financial incentive that is attached to the instrument, and the many structures in the implementation process. In addition, the system seems to encourage a bureaucratic style of management. Teachers and principals also suggested ways in which the IQMS could be structured by the Department of Education for greater efficiency in education.

Within the South African context, because of political and social changes and the influence caused by these changes on educational structures, the new and high demands are required from school principals. Principals now find it necessary to make choices and take decisions .Unfortunately they are not equipped sufficiently to make careful decisions in meeting constitutional demands (Niehaus & Myburgh, 1999). According to Evans (1997:20) (as cited by Schoeman, 2006) the establishment of suitable institutions is sufficient in keeping a free and democratic society, world events (fascism in Japan, Italy, Germany,1920s-1930s;cold war in Europe, 1940s-1980s are there to remind us that even the best –designed institutions are not sufficient. A free and democratic society is dependent on knowledge, skills and virtues of its citizens (IDASA 1999:2). Brown and Duku, 2008 contend that when SASA was introduced, it was of the idea that it would create a new school governance landscape (Naidoo, 2005). Criticisms are blaming the SASA for the tensions that exist in school governance. SASA is viewed as steeply middle- class in identity and is accused of normalising parental participation in school governance in middle-class terms. Another criticism is on the assumption that parents should have the resources and time to spend on school activities (Dyer &Rose, 2005; Fakir, 2003; Sayed & Soudien, 2005). When criticisms against this Act were taken stock of in the context of socio-economic realities of many communities in rural locations in SA, it is difficult to disagree. The report of the Ministerial Review Committee cited socio-economic related difficulties as paralysing how parents participate in school governance in rural communities (Ministerial Review Study, 2004).

Management of teachers is one of the important tasks of principals at school, aside from their primary goal of ensuring that teaching and learning happens effectively at school, is their potential to manage two types of teachers present at school, unionised and non-unionised. It is well-established that principals have a mammoth task of identifying and implementing the correct strategies to manage these teachers. A review of the management styles in use today shows that the new management strategies are required to solve the problems encountered by principals in managing these teachers. Several methods of implementing these new strategies are described. These methods include creating trust between teachers and principals through fruitful communication and participation in decision-making. The application of the theory of emotional intelligence is described in detail. The theory of emotional intelligence denotes that the accomplishment in the management of human resources depends largely on the emotions, behaviours, and attitudes of managers. While past studies have detailed the effectiveness of the management styles used by principals to manage teachers, these studies have been confined to the management of teachers collectively. The present study distinguishes between teachers who are unionised and non-unionised and the individual, focus group interview and observation are the primary sources of data used in the study. The findings are intended to solve challenges associated with the implementation of the management strategies of principals in managing unionised and no-unionised teachers to attain improved quality teaching and learning in the context of South African secondary schools. The results show that developing trust between principals and teachers requires efforts from both parties. They also show that the main complaint about the management of teachers is unequal treatment of teachers and a lack of trust between teachers and principals in schools. The analysis of individual interviews, focus-group interviews and observations revealed that the establishment of strategies that address both types of teachers found at schools would be a significant step to take towards a positive management of teachers. It is proposed that the Department of Basic Education creates an environment where both teachers and managers’ personal and professional development is upskilled to expand their capabilities to deal with relational problems and challenges. / Educational Management and Leadership / Ph. D. (Education (Education Management))

Department of Curriculum Studies and Education Management / PHD (CS)

MGS / Institute for Gender and Youth Studies

MEd (Educational Management) / Department of Educational Management / This study set out to investigate the state of readiness for the implementation of inclusive education in Nzhelele West circuit secondary schools in Vhembe district. The aim of the study was to explore the state of secondary schools’ readiness in the implementation of inclusive education and suggests strategies that can contribute to the effective implementation thereof. The study is qualitative in nature and the focus of the study was Grade 8. Purposive sampling was used to select ten participants which include five principals and five Grade 8 teachers. Interviews and observations were used as data collection tools. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study findings revealed that the participants were aware of the importance of implementing inclusive education in secondary schools. The participants explained their roles towards the effective implementation of inclusive education. However, the study identified various challenges facing the teachers in effectively implementing inclusive education such as physical challenges, lack of support services and impracticable policies. The study further provided solutions to the challenges of implementing inclusive education in secondary schools. / NRF

Thesis (M. Ed.(Educational Psychology)) - Central University of technology, Free State, 2010 / The purpose of this study was to: * Investigate how school management understands and responds to the impact of HIV and AIDS on educators at Botshabelo primary schools. * Formulate recommendations, based on the findings of the study, for the design of programmes to develop school principals and heads of department so that they can proactively deal with HIV and AIDS. The method of research consists of an investigation in which a sample of thirty (30) primary schools at Botshabelo in the Free State Province was used. Questionnaires were distributed among the principals and heads of department. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the experiences and perceptions of the principals and heads of department towards understanding and responding to the impact of HIV and AIDS on educators. The empirical research was undertaken so as to gather information that could provide answers to the following research questions: * What is the impact and effect of HIV and AIDS on educators? * How can educators be assisted to cope with the impact that HIV and AIDS may have on their lives? * What impact do HIV and AIDS infected educators have on school management? The literature study showed that HIV and AIDS impact on education in various ways. It also indicated that the pandemic has a psychological-social impact on educators. Questionnaires revealed that most educators lose interest in their career. The study also revealed that HIV and AIDS education has not been extensively covered and standardised at the primary schools in Botshabelo. The findings derived from questionnaires provided several implications for planning, teaching and implementation of HIV and AIDS awareness programmes. Although the majority of the principals and heads of department believed that it is necessary to implement the HIV and AIDS policies in their schools, the results revealed that some are neglecting the implementation of HIV and AIDS policies. Lastly, the specific HIV and AIDS programmes should be co-ordinated by the Free State Department of Education in order to ensure that the support programmes achieve what they are intended to achieve. Principals and heads of department should be encouraged to take the lead in the fight against the impact of HIV and AIDS on education.

This research focuses on the role of the school principal as instructional leader in primary schools in Thoyandou area, Limpopo Province. It was motivated by a marked decline in the fulfilment of the instructional leadership role of principals in certain schools in the Limpopo Province. A literature study was undertaken to determine the role of a instructional leader, approaches to this role as well as the relationship between the principal's instructional leadership role and staff development and staff appraisal respectively. A qualitative inquiry was conducted using a focus group and personal interviews with a small sample of participants selected by judgement sampling. The findings suggest that understanding of the instructional leadership is fragmented; principals often fail to develop staff adequately; and the Department of Education's new approach to staff and development appraisals is not adequately implemented in schools. Finally guidelines are provided to assist principals in fulfilling their role as effective instructional leaders. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Education Management)