Thesis (M.Ed. (Educational Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2011 / The purpose of the study was to investigate the experiences of female educators with regard to promotion posts in educational institutions such as schools. The problem which led to the investigation was that female educators allege that they are discriminated against with regard to promotion posts. Hence teaching is predominantly occupied by women but they are under-represented in the management positions. The study was ethnographic and qualitative because the researcher tried to understand the complex settings through the eyes of the informants and assume that, to understand a social setting, one needs to connect the observed behaviour with the rationales for that behaviour. Human life was studied as it was related to education. The literature review highlighted why women do not occupy high positions in management. The study also focused on the perception held by most stakeholders with regard to promotion posts. The study indicated what causes female educators not to occupy higher management posts and strategies that can be employed in addition to the experience of female educators with regard to promotion posts in educational institutions. Data was collected through interviews in order to provide in depth understanding of what is studied. Sample selected was purposeful and non random. Data was analyzed inductively by organizing data into categories and identifying relationships among the categories. Data was selected, categorized, compared, synthesized and interpreted. Data was also analyzed by using descriptive statistical tables. The study discovered some aspects that support what female educators experienced in schools such as discrimination, harassment, negative attitudes, unfair-treatment, inferiority complex and gender-bias which lead to small number of female educators to be in the managerial positions and further research was recommended.

Thesis (MPA) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / The purpose of the study is to explore the views of educators with regard to the promotion of female educators to management positions at primary schools in Lulekani Circuit in the Mopani District, Limpopo Province. Specifically, this research sought to identify the factors perceived by both men and women in management positions and those who are not in management positions to be the cause of the ongoing under-representation of women at school management level. At present there are many more female educators at primary schools in the Lulekani Circuit than there are male educators. However, to date in the circuit there are many more male educators occupying management positions at these primary schools than there are females. A qualitative research method in the form of semi-structured face-to face interviews was used in this study to investigate the perceived and actual barriers and challenges which impede the promotion of female educators to management positions at primary schools in the Lulekani Circuit in the Mopani District, Limpopo Province. Twenty participants, who included both male and female educators, from five primary schools participated in one-on-one, face-to-face interviews for the purpose of this study. The sample included educators who occupy management positions (principals, deputy principals and heads of departments) and those who do not occupy management positions. The study revealed that the under-representation of female educators in management position is a highly complex issue which is influenced by factors ranging from women’s lack of confidence, lack of support from colleagues and family, gender stereotyping, family commitments and pressure from conflicting roles. The exclusion of female educators from management positions is matter of concern because, not only does it exclude a significant section of the South African community from participating in decisions that directly affect them, but it also violates the principles of equality and of the creation of a non-sexist society which are enshrined in the South African Constitution. It is recommended that urgent steps be taken by all stakeholders to ensure equal representation of both male and female educators in management positions at schools. Keywords: Promotion, management position, barriers, leadership, underrepresentation, Gender, stereotypes, glass ceiling

The aim of the present study explores barriers to women educators’ upward mobility in the Department of Education, using the Butterworth Education District as the area of study. Women as human beings, too, have a valid case regarding recognition of their legitimate aspirations because in striving for them, they are exercising their rights similar to their male counterpart. It must also be understood that the same legislative prescripts apply to both male and female educators and the necessary intellectual and physical capacity plus skills commitment and perseverance are understood to be important criteria for promotions. The question of perception of barriers to upward mobility of women in the education department and the wider public sector in South Africa is topical and continues to engender research and policy guidelines. However, conclusive findings and solutions are far from being realised. Empirical research and other scholarly writings posit that despite a suite of legislation and policy guidelines introduced in South Africa since 1994, women continue to encounter barriers in their effort to move up their career ladder. It is argued women are under-represented in management positions in comparison to men all over the world. Unequal representation of women in public sectors, nationally, provincially and locally has illustrated the need for gender equity and mainstreaming in senior management. In research done for the Department of Education in South Africa it was also found that although the teaching environment is made up of both men and women, men in management are acceptable, but women in management experience problems not only from male employees, but from female employees as well.

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, 2003. / The purpose of this study has been to determine the challenges facing female managers in the schools that they manage in the Emondlo circuit of the Nqutu district. Literature, strategies and models were used to determine empirically how the female managers manage their schools effectively. Little has been documented about the challenges facing female managers in the new dispensation in South Africa. In addition, little attention is paid to support them in their management roles in schools. In this study, a self-administered questionnaire method was used to gather data. A 31-item questionnaire was developed to determine the perceptions of respondents regarding the challenges facing female managers at Emondlo circuit. A random sample of 11 schools managed by females were chosen. In each school, the questionnaire was filled in by the female school manager only. The empirical investigation conducted revealed that the female managers experienced problems including discipline and absenteeism among both educators and learners. The study also revealed that some of them lacked relevant management skills and knowledge. The study finally revealed that some female managers have greater barriers to overcome than their male counterparts and that discrimination is a major obstacle to their advancement. Finally, conclusions were drawn with regard to data gathered from the literature as well as from empirical research findings. In this study, some recommendations are made with regard to research findings. It was found that workshops, staff development programmes and seminars are some of the best strategies in helping the female managers to perform their duties effectively.

MGS / Institute for Gender and Youth Studies / Institutions of higher learning are still masculine-orientated; this creates a barrier for women in terms of career advancement. To this effect women are under-represented in top academic positions. The study employed qualitative research methods to explore factors that contribute to the under-representation of women in senior positions at the University of Venda. A combination of purposive and convenience sampling was used to select twenty five female academics (25). Data was collected through primary and secondary data, semi-structured interviews were used to elicit and illuminate women’s voices on issues that affect them and a thematic analysis was used to analyse the collected data. The research findings demonstrate that the University’s environment continues to be masculine-oriented within most of employment categories as well as in academia where women struggle to thrive. Women face multiple challenges in ascending the academic ladder which results in the under-representation of women in management and academic levels. These challenges included: the stringent criteria for promotion which do not seem to accommodate women, especially mothers, lack of female role-models, mentors and networks. The second major barrier is the teaching work-load which poses difficulties for women, preparations for teaching took long hours leaving them with no time for family, research, publication, as well as to further their studies, which are necessary requirements for promotion. The third major barrier women are faced with is the challenge of balancing multiple roles - as students, workers and mothers. Balancing these multiple roles makes it difficult for women to meet the highly stringent promotion criteria in the University