M.Ed. / The school effectiveness studies that began appearing in the 1970's have suggested that leadership in schools with improving learner achievement differed from leadership in schools with declining learner achievement. The difference was mainly due to the fact that principals of schools that were improving were seen to be instructional leaders who are focused on the implementation of effective instructional programmes (Sybouts and Wendel, 1994: 19). The research by Hallinger and Heck that was conducted in 1996, supports the above argument. In their research they assessed forty studies of the principals' instructional role. Their report illuminated that three quarters of their studies conceptualised the role of the principal in effective schools as the instructional leader. When emphasizing the relationship between instructional leadership and learner achievement, Hopkins (2001:16) mentions that the domain of instructional leadership is the focus on student learning and achievement. Gary (1993:37) also supports the suggestion that there is a relationship between the leadership of the school and learner achievement. He contends that learning should be placed at the heart of school leadership. In order for principals to achieve excellence in learner achievement it is essential to exercise effective instructional leadership which is the path to good learning and teaching (National Department of Education, 2001:1). The above concepts of instructional leadership suggest that principals are shouldered with the responsibility of propelling the teaching and learning activities in the right direction. Nanus (1996:5) succinctly states that the principal should constantly improve every aspect of management and governance and he/ she should always strive for excellence. / Prof. B.R Grobler
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:12083 |
| Date | 14 October 2008 |
| Creators | Mthombeni, Phumzile Priscillia |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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