This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) in improving the performance of educators. While literature exists on IQMS as a performance management system for educators in South Africa, no research examines it as a Performance Improvement (PI) system. Given the gap in the literature, this study aimed to answer the question: How effective is the IQMS in improving the performance of educators? The IQMS policy mandates the District Office to design and implement Performance Improvement interventions. This study investigated the effectiveness of the IQMS as a PI system with specific reference to the interventions designed and implemented by the East London District of Education. The introduction of the IQMS marked a paradigm shift from the inspectorate system. It introduced a democratic system of teacher evaluation. It put consultative structures in place and allowed educators to make their voices heard during the evaluation process through pre-evaluation meetings and feedback. The IQMS is a standards based system of evaluation. As such it is morphed with the use of rating scores and rubrics to identify the performance gap, which is followed by the development and implementation of intervention strategies to close the gap. The concept of Performance Improvement (PI) which is the process of identifying and analyzing individual performance gaps, planning for future performance improvement, designing and implementing interventions to close performance gaps, comes into play. This study was conducted using qualitative research methods. Data from questionnaires and the interviews were triangulated with information from a review of policy documents from the Department of Basic Education, pertinent documents from the East London District of Education and sampled high schools in Mdantsane. The Post Level 1 Educators are primary stakeholders in this study, and the School Principals and Education Specialists are secondary stakeholders. In this qualitative study, forty-two high school Post Level 1 (PL1) educators provided responses to an open-ended questionnaire. Six PL1 educators were interviewed. Three high school principals and three education specialists provided responses to open-ended questionnaires. Pertinent documents were surveyed. Qualitative responses were categorized and analyzed into themes and sub-themes. The findings of the current study indicate that the IQMS in its current form did not impact positively on the Performance Improvement of educators. Five specific findings emerged from this study: Educators have not embraced IQMS as a Performance Improvement system; The twofold purpose of the IQMS: development and salary progression renders it ineffective in improving the performance of educators; The logical framework for the implementation of the IQMS is not adhered to; The implementation of the IQMS is not monitored; The IQMS has no impact on learner attainment. This study also documents other positive areas in the implementation of the IQMS. This study has implications and recommendations for further research, practice and provides valuable information to the Department of Basic Education and the teacher unions in the Education Labour Relations Council as they review the IQMS and in implementing future teacher performance evaluation policies.

This study evaluates the implementation of Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) policy to improve the quality of teaching and learning at schools in the Cofimvaba Education District. IQMS involves the measurement and evaluation of teacher performance for developmental purposes and to reward the best performers in order to improve teaching. A qualitative research approach was adopted and data was collected using questionnaires distributed and retrieved from schools in order to determine educators’ experience of IQMS implementation. The data were then analysed using constant comparative methods. The findings indicate that most participants agreed with the objectives of the policy and felt that it should be retained to evaluate teacher performance for accountability purposes and improved teaching and learning results. The system has the potential to develop educators if is implemented honesty and as long as educators trust the evaluation processes to identify weaknesses and strengths. A key recommendation is that IQMS should be part of the school management team’s responsibilities, which must report quarterly on implementation.

M.Ed. / The researcher’s initial observations and discussions with educators revealed that secondary schools in the Northern Free State district perform below the required standard. The problem of this research lies in the lack of effectiveness in secondary schools which is due to factors such as historical political development, the collapse of the culture of teaching and learning at schools, under qualified teachers and poor infrastructure. These factors made worse by lack of clearly defined models for improving school effectiveness. The purpose of this research is to suggest and develop a model for improving schools effectiveness in the Northern Free State district and to determine the extent to which secondary schools in the Northern Free State district are using the Total Quality Management approaches or the Integrated Quality Management Systems (IQMS) approaches as well as characterizing those secondary schools that are viewed as effective or ineffective. The research method is qualitative in nature. The researcher collected data through observations, interviews and analysis of school records. The findings of this research support the purpose of the study which is to develop a model for improving secondary schools effectiveness. This research is regarded as a direction pointer in the development of the model that can be effectively applicable to improve effectiveness of the secondary schools in the Northern Free State district and the country as a whole hence it is recommended that the suggested model which is a combination of the known powerful models for improving school effectiveness be expanded to other schools.

Thesis (LLD.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The delivery of substandard education to the leaners in South African schools has become a pressing concern and needs special attention. This is so despite the advent of democracy in 1994, which brought legislative frameworks and other measures promoting access to quality education. This study seeks to highlight the importance of a radical paradigm shift in educational approach, from a single (access) to a dual system (access and delivery) in South Africa. The study examines adequacy of access to education, by evaluating the effectiveness of delivery. The study emphasizes that delivery should be strengthened in order to develop skills and capacity. The study also accentuates the need to strengthen legislative measures and compliance, in order to improve the delivery of quality education to the leaners. The domestic laws such as the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Skills Development Act, the South African Schools Act, Further Education and Training Act and the Continuing Education and Training Act, which all cover access and full delivery of quality education, will be examined. It is pertinent to point out that the delivery of quality education and skills development, can improve the employability of leaners and graduates, wherever they find themselves. Consequently, it is fundamentally important to increase interest in strengthening the implementation of the skills development legislation and policies, to drive the necessary change from access to delivery, in order to meet the developmental needs of the country. Lessons are drawn from China, Finland and Singapore, where policies and laws are utilized for the purpose of comparative studies. The rationale for such a comparative analysis is premised on the fact that these countries have very strong educational systems, which promotes the employability of learners, and also enables learners to become self-reliant and entrepreneurs. / National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) and South African Humanities Deans Association (SAHUDA)

This study explores the influence of teacher unions on the formulation and implementation of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) in the Johannesburg Central District. The involvement of unions in the signing of Collective Agreement Number 8 of 2003 and the failure of unions to fully support implementation at school level is a challenge. Unions are part of the bargaining council in the Education and Labour Relations Council as they are also part of the policy formulation process. The constitutional duty that teachers need to align themselves with is to provide quality education that will allow learners fair and better opportunities of succeeding. The use of IQMS as a quality measurement system is of outmost importance to stabilise the education environment and to benefit the nation. Unions therefore have a statutory obligation not only to their constituencies but also to their clients, the teachers. The study was qualitative and exploratory in nature, based on grounded and social constructivism theory. It was conducted in the Johannesburg Central region that forms part of the Gauteng Education Department. The sample consisted of groups of five union representatives, two Gauteng Department of Education officials and 35 school-based unionised teachers. The researcher used observation, one on one interview as well as focus group interviews to collect data. The unions involved in the study were the Suid Afrikaanse Onderwyseris Unie the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa and the South African Democratic Teachers’ Organisation .Findings showed a deficiency in processes such as advocacy, training and funding which are the main determinants of policy implementation. The unions were of the opinion that regardless of their role in the ELRC which some viewed as rubberstamping; their influence was not of much significance during the formulation of policies. They suggested a more rigorous and intense route that could give them the mandate to be hands on during the formulation of policies. They also reported that they needed qualified and competent people to spearhead training so as to ensure a better understanding by all stakeholders during the effective implementation of IQMS. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

Thesis (MPA (School of Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Total Quality Management (TQM) sets out a framework for managers on how to improve business performance in all types of organisations. Organisational excellence must be integrated into the strategy of business through an understanding of the key business processes and the development of people.

The purpose of this case study was to explore the quality enhancement plan (QEP) process and its influence on student learning of critical thinking and the institutional environment from the perspective of key stakeholders at two community colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (the Commission). Key stakeholders were defined as faculty, staff, and administrators who had direct and continuous involvement with the development and/or implementation of the QEP. This was accomplished through document reviews and analysis of interviews. The study was guided by intertwined quality assurance systems accountability, accreditation, and assessment, and six of Deming’s (1986) total quality management principles. These principles are: (1) customer, (2) training and development, (3) teamwork, (4) measurement, (5) improvement, and (6) leadership (Bosner, 1992; Deming, 1986; Marchese, 1991; Sallis, 2002). / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Thesis (M.Ed.) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / The purpose of this study was to look at the experiences, trainings, resources, benefits and challenges faced by schools in the implementation of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) in the primary schools of the Nkowankowa Circuit at the Mopani District of Limpopo Province. As a result, the researcher was motivated to conduct a study on this topic. The scope of the research was restricted to two primary schools in the circuit. The government officials, principals, school development teams and educators had to respond to the questions asked during the interview between the researcher and the participants. Thus, the research methodology was qualitative in which a case study design was used. The sampling strategy was non-probability which led to purposive sampling to schools and participants. Data were collected through interviews, observations and documents and were analysed using the spiral steps of Creswell (2007). The findings of this study were that training was inadequate to the implementers. The support given by the Department was not enough. The resources at schools were lacking, hence little benefit by educators since IQMS started. The results showed disclosed that the majority of the participants feel that many things still have to be done for the effective implementation of IQMS, and all role players in schools need to join hands and assist one another. That is why there were lot of challenges which schools are encountering. This will give schools new shapes and performance in general will improve. Therefore, IQMS is partially implemented

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-107).