The study was carried out to investigate the role of the secondary school head in Botswana in respect to four themes, namely: staff development; classroom supervision; school culture building; and conflict management. Basically, school development planning was defined as a strategy that can be employed to improve the teaching and learning processes. This could be achieved by on-going staff development programmes that equip staff with new knowledge and new classroom teaching techniques. Details of strategies that could be used to achieve this were examined and discussed in this thesis. Two chapters of the literature review were made in this thesis. Chapter II (Part I) made a direct link between the literature review and the research questions on the main topic of this thesis. Chapter III (Part II) on the other hand provided, a comparative analysis of school development planning between Botswana (as the focal point) and the United Kingdom and Australia (as examples). The analysis was concerned with three issues of: human capacity; budget allocation and its control; and accountability. The inclusion of this second chapter on the literature analysis was to add weight and to raise the analytical standard of the thesis. Closed responses and open-ended questionnaires were used to gather data. A total of 60 respondents comprising heads and teachers from 10 junior and five senior secondary schools participated in the investigation. Summaries of the findings from both the empirical and theoretical components for each of the themes are that: • There cannot be development without developing the developer. • Classroom supervision is essential because it provides the basis for staff development and subsequently improved teaching. • School development planning must be a staff co-operative effort leading to the formation of a sustainable school culture of working teams. • Conflict is always there in organizations, what is important , however, is for the administrator to manage it such that it benefits the organization. Basically, the empirical and theoretical components, supported each other on the majority of issues. The United Kingdom and Australia, being developed countries, do not experience the problems of funding, staffing, and other supportive resources to effectively implement school development planning to the extent of Botswana. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Educational Management)

The purpose of the study was to assess Challenges of and Opportunities for Implementing the School improvement Programme in the Public secondary Schools of Iluababor administrative zone in Ethiopia. In the study a mixed research methodology was employed, specifically the sequential explanatory designs with a high priority on the quantitative and the sequential exploratory design and with less priority on the qualitative data. Out of 24 secondary schools, 12 secondary schools were selected by random sampling from six geographically clustered secondary schools. In the study (out of a total of 540 sample populations, 287 research participants were selected by random sampling/lottery method, 220 male and 67 female) were participated to fill the questionnaires. For interviews from six clusters (12 school principals, 12 district education experts, six secondary supervisors and four zone education experts) were selected by purposeful sampling to participate in the interviews sessions. Whereas, for focus group discussions ( 21 parent teachers‟ association (PTA) members; and 21 members of student councils) were as well selected by the purposeful sampling technique from three clustered geographical locations of the schools respectively. The collected data was analysed using statistical programme for social science software (SPSS) version 21. To analyse the data from questionnaires, descriptive statistical analysis like frequencies, percentile, mean values, and standard deviation were used. While, qualitative data generated from interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis were transcribed, coded and interpreted thematically. The findings indicated that with regards to the quantitative data analysis, the performances of the school improvement programme aggregate of the four domains summary of the mean values and standard deviations 287 (Mean = 2.82; SD = 0.74) showed that the indicators of practices among the school improvement programme domains were low in performance. The qualitative results as well confirmed the quantitative results. In this case, the mean value was above average and the standard deviation value was more tightly clustered around the mean. This means that the results were concurrent of each other and thus reliable. The findings revealed that, even though secondary schools put a lot of effort towards averting the challenges in school improvement, it could hardly bear fruit due to insufficient supplies of inputs and processes. This resulted in the school improvement programme performances lagging behind the set goals and targets. Additionally, the findings indicated that the major challenges in the implementation of the school improvement programme in secondary schools (9-10) were: weak collaboration among stakeholders, lack of capacity building, inefficient administrative services, limited commitment of school leadership and school governing bodies, poor school leadership and management, passive and inactive involvement of parents and local community, and, in the academic affairs, students were not successful in terms of attendance and the achievement of learners. Based on the findings, it is recommended that school principals, teachers, administrative staff, students, parents and local school communities be well equipped with basic knowledge and skills on the school improvement programme. This could help in fostering critical thinking and the problem solving capacity of the learners. In addition, school principals and the school governing bodies have to apply the recommended strategies in the study so as to alleviate the challenges in (grades 9-10) secondary schools. Above and beyond, the study suggested that in order to get better learners achievement, a strong team spirit should be established among school principals, secondary school supervisors, teachers, students, parents and local communities, and by expanding capacity building networks within the coming five years. Consequently, the schools management teams and other stakeholders of secondary schools (9-10) have to plan for continuous training and orientation on the nature, practice and significance of school improvement programme implementation. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

This thesis draws on a case study research method conducted to identify the challenges of school leadership and to investigate the opportunities of instructional leadership practices via a distributive approach for secondary school principals in Haramaya District of Oromia region, Ethiopia. This qualitative research approach allows for obtaining detailed information from the participants for the issue under study. The participants of the study were five secondary school principals, 25 secondary school management members and five Haramaya District Education Office experts. Totally 35 participants were the subjects of the study. The data collected from the participants were analysed using a thematic analysis by employing the necessary steps of qualitative data analysis. Therefore, the study identified that school principals do not give equal emphasis for some of the instructional leadership roles and distribute instructional leadership roles based on a traditional ways rather than using a theme approach. The support provided to school principals from stakeholders to strengthen their instructional leadership practices using a distributive approach is also low. In addition, lack of knowledge and skill of principals to understand the recent school leadership theories and a distributive approach make principals not to practice instructional leadership via a distributive approach effectively and efficiently. Moreover, low commitment of stakeholders to take instructional leadership roles and activities, lack of adequate support from stakeholders to principals and lack of instructional materials and qualified personnel were the major challenges of principals in practicing instructional leadership via a distributive approach. Finally, the researcher recommended that school principals, Haramaya District Education Office and East Hararghe Zone Education Desk should work collaboratively to formulate and communicate a school vision, to use technology for assisting learning and strengthen CPD programme based on need assessment. Moreover, school principals should work on the approach of distributive leadership on a team base to use the various knowledge, skill, expertise and experience of stakeholders. Teachers, students, parents, community, educational authorities at different levels, GO and NGOs should distribute instructional leadership roles and activities to support principals. Haramaya District Education Office and East Hararghe Zone Education Desk in collaboration with NGOs should prepare up-to-date training and strengthen school-community relationships. / Educational Management and Leadership / D. Ed. (Education Management)

The problem of the study was determining the supportive conditions related to instructional rounds (rounds) to understand better what conditions may allow for sustained systemic improvement over time. Three Texas school districts were studied to understand the perceptions of district leaders, principals, teacher leaders, and teachers with regard to the sustainability of instructional rounds as a systemic improvement practice, the supportive conditions necessary for sustainability, the salient characteristics that differentiated rounds from other improvement practices, and the potential of rounds to build organizational capacity. Observation of network rounds visits and document analysis was conducted to determine alignment of perception with observation and documents. Findings include perceptions, themes, and critical factors for the sustainability of rounds as an effective systemic improvement practice. Supportive conditions emerged as the most significant perception expressed by the participants. Implications for action for school districts beginning or continuing implementation of instructional rounds are suggested based upon findings from participant perceptions and observation of networks. Suggestions for future research are shared. With supportive conditions in place, instructional rounds has the potential to serve as an effective systemic improvement practice.

This research has as its objective to discover the extent to which Grade 12 learners receive the appropriate support required in conducting their studies efficiently and effectively. The main aim of the study is to help to improve the quality of the results and the pass rate of Grade 12 learners in the Mankweng Area, Limpopo Province. The aim of the investigation is to gather information about the learner support structures in use in sampled schools. There is a need for a Learner Support System to assist learners to perform well at schools. A literature study is conducted to explore and to identify gaps in the literature. The study will assist the researcher to emerge with ways and means of improving the quality of effective use of Learner Support Systems in schools. It is anticipated that the findings and recommendations of the study will enhance the plans of the Limpopo Department of Education strategies of improving the quality of teaching and learning support in the province. / Educational Studies / M. Ed (Education Management)

Submitted in fulfilment of part of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Technology, Durban University of Technology, 2014. / The study is based in the Mpumalanga Province and focused on a sample of 18 externally evaluated underperforming secondary schools across all four districts of the province. The schools obtained less than 30% average pass rate of learners in the 2011 Grade 12 examinations. The main objectives of the study were to analyse the purpose of Whole School Evaluation (WSE) from a quality assurance perspective, investigate the significance of a key component of WSE, namely, teaching, learning and educator development, analyse the Grade 12 results of externally evaluated underperforming secondary schools prior and post evaluation, analyse monitoring and evaluation reports for changes in teaching, learning and teacher development, as well as identify factors impeding teaching, learning and teacher development in underperforming secondary schools. The mixed methods approach was used. This approach made it easy to reconcile findings through triangulation and complementing qualitative and quantitative data (both primary and secondary).This study relied on secondary data (WSE external evaluation reports and Grade 12 results), as well as primary data obtained from questionnaires administered to school management teams (SMTs) of the sampled underperforming secondary schools. The study exposed the great level of acceptance of the external WSE process by SMTs in Mpumalanga Province underperforming secondary schools, as a means of quality assurance towards improvement. Furthermore, it revealed the extent to which improvement and development of schools in the underperforming schools as a result of the external WSE process. The study also indicated that the results of seventeen of the eighteen schools (94.4%) improved. Furthermore, the study confirmed that what was revealed in the external WSE as areas for development became a revelation to SMTs. As a result, the manner in which teaching, learning and teacher development (AFE4) as a key component of WSE is viewed by teachers and SMTs, has been positively influenced. The study produced new knowledge through the development of a theoretical model. This model is based on the view that effective external WSE process, as a dependent variable, is significantly influenced by predictor (independent) variables. The predictor (independent) variables are planning for teaching; teaching strategies; assessment of learners; teacher development; and management of teaching and learning processes (curriculum management). This emerging theoretical model is based on the belief that, the more one increases independent variables (they can be from any of the nine AFEs’ criteria), the more the dependent variable (effectiveness of external WSE process) is strengthened. / D

The aim of this thesis is to investigate the motivation for the proposed Education Management Development Centres (EMDCs). It also addresses what improvements to the current system EMDCs are supposed to make and how EMDCs hope to enhance collaboration between the Western Cape Education Department and local schools. It also look at the role of the proposed EMDCs and specifically focus on how they hope to promote better inter-sectoral support between the Western Cape Education Department and local schools.

Transformation in education over the decades has failed to keep abreast of the rapidly advancing technological environment of modern society. This implies that curricula, learning paradigms and tools employed by educational institutions are not in sync with the technologically oriented lifestyle of modern society. Learners are therefore unable to apply and assimilate their daily life experiences into the learning process. This disparity warrants radical transformation in education, so as to furnish the appropriate education system where learners are able to construct their knowledge on the basis of pre-existing ideas and experiences. However, any transformation in the e~ucation approach should essentially be complemented by the adoption of appropriate learning environments and paradigms that can capitalize on learners' life experiences as well as elicit the appropriate learning behaviour and attitudes for effective and life-long learning. Much of the literature reviewed affirms the efficacy of virtual learning environments as mediums that can facilitate effective learner-centred electronic-learning suitable for modern society. They are asserted as liberators of learning in respect of instructivist ideals, information access and the confines of the physical classroom. This is confirmed by findings of this research, which are generally in favour of the virtual learning environment's ability to enhance the learning experiences of learners but remained inconclusive on their learning outcomes. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Professional growth is a complex process that requires thoughtful planning, persistence in execution, collaboration, and a common goal if it is to be successful. Classroom teachers have many opportunities to participate in professional development, but experiences vary and it is important to determine which have the greatest effect. The purpose of this comparative study was to examine the strengths and differences of three models of professional learning communities involved in a three-year project to improve writing instruction in kindergarten to Grade 3 classrooms. Based on the work of Routman (2008a), professional staffs at treatment schools were involved in a multi-year, inter-divisional, professional learning community. Teachers and principals in the project participated in one of three experiences of varying intensity. Results are compared to a control group of schools. The study design takes a pragmatic worldview and utilizes mixed methodology to conduct an ex post facto, quasi-experimental analysis. Artifacts collected from 2009 to 2012 include questionnaires, written self-evaluations, and samples of student writing, that were examined to determine the degree and nature of change in principals’ increased perceptiveness of the school literacy team, teachers’ increased sense of efficacy in writing instruction, and significant changes in student writing. These are compared to samples from a control group of schools that were not involved in the experience. Several aspects of this multi-year project bring to light three critical observations. First, real-time, live experiences with an expert facilitator have a dramatic effect on teacher learning. Second, students in the first four years at school are capable of much more sophistication in writing than is generally expected. Third, principals’ involvement as educational leaders is critical to enduring teacher change and ongoing student improvement. / February 2017

The purpose of this study is to investigate students’ opinions of factors that influence student motivation in a positive way, as a means to identify school improvement processes that can be initiated. In schools where one wishes to strengthen teacher awareness of factors that scientific studies have found crucial for boosting student motivation, the results of this study can be used as a starting point.  Data has been collected using a quantitative questionnaire that was filled out by students at a primary school in a municipality in the west of Sweden. The questionnaire investigates students’ opinions on factors that scientific studies point out as important for student motivation. The study shows that there is a coherence between the factors that science points out as important for student motivation, and what the students indicate is typical of what they experience in school. Regardless of sex or grade the coherence is consistent. The factors that students point out as most important for student motivation is “that the teacher instructs me how to solve a task correctly”, “that the teacher believes in my ability”, “that the teacher lets me take part in planning how we work”, and ”that the teacher gives me assignements that I can manage”. For one of these factors there is lesser coherence between what students say is important for student motivation, and what they indicate is typical of what they experience in school. The students indicate that “that the teacher lets me take part in planning how we work” is crucial for student motivation. When it comes to what the students say is typical for what they experience in school, they indicate this factor to a lesser extent.