This study reports on a qualitative study that sought to explore the experiences of
female Heads of Department in Primary Schools. The study was carried out in
KwaNdengezi, Pinetown South. It made use of qualitative methodology to obtain data
using semi-structured interviews and observations as its methods of data collection.
Purposive sampling was used to select the participants of the study, and the study
sample consisted of four female heads of department in four primary schools, with
whom the interviews and observations were conducted.
The main findings of the study revealed that female heads of department experience
and internalize negative stereotypes and believe males do not listen to them and they
also experience gender stereotypes and their impact when performing their
management duties in schools. Other findings include the experiences related to
dynamics of being mothers and teachers at the same time. Further the communication
with teachers, teacher discipline and the role that gender stereotyped held by members
of the society. There is the issue of unequal power relations between men and women
within the schools, which is an underlying factor behind all the gender-based
experiences of female heads of department in the schools.
Despite the fact that female heads of department encounter gender-based experiences
in their management roles and responsibilities, they are engaged in empowering style of
management by means of involving all the colleagues in the decision making processes.
The study concludes by recommending that female heads of departments require
support from all the stakeholders of the school, and that the government should hold
workshops and seminars to support them. At the school level, they should resist all
attempts at being treated in a condescending manner, and become role models to other
aspiring females to assume school management positions for effective management and
delivery of quality education. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood, 2012.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/5657 |
| Date | January 2012 |
| Creators | Mkhize, Silindile. |
| Contributors | Morojele, Pholoho Justice. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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