Empowering principals to lead and manage public schools effectively in the 21st century
Globally, education systems have been affected by radical social, political and economic changes. Although school principals play a pivotal role in improving student learning and attaining educational outcomes, they work under strenuous conditions to deal with multifaceted transformational issues. P...
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2017-02-01
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doaj-17af5603bd944bea96684ae6d0b3964c2020-11-24T22:59:50ZengEducation Association of South AfricaSouth African Journal of Education0256-01002076-34332017-02-0137111110.15700/saje.v37n1a1334Empowering principals to lead and manage public schools effectively in the 21st centuryRaj Mestry0Department of Education Leadership and Management, Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg, South AfricaGlobally, education systems have been affected by radical social, political and economic changes. Although school principals play a pivotal role in improving student learning and attaining educational outcomes, they work under strenuous conditions to deal with multifaceted transformational issues. Principals experience great difficulty in coping with numerous changes, partly because they are inadequately prepared for their leadership position, or simply lack the necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes to lead and manage schools effectively and efficiently. Fundamentally, principals should be empowered to effectively deal with challenges facing them in the 21st century. Using qualitative research, this study explored the importance of promoting a culture of professional development that will prepare principals to confront education challenges and obstacles facing them. Fifteen principals were selected to determine their perceptions and experiences of how they were prepared and professionally developed to lead and manage schools. Findings revealed that in South Africa, there is no formal preparation for aspiring or practicing principals taking on leadership and management positions, and very few in-service professional development programmes are available. There is a dire need for education authorities to introduce compulsory training and development programmes for aspiring and practicing school leaders to lead and manage their schools successfully.http://www.sajournalofeducation.co.za/index.php/saje/article/view/1334/687change managementcontinuing professional developmentcurriculum leadershipinstructionprincipalshipprofessionalizationqualificationstraining |
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language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Raj Mestry |
spellingShingle |
Raj Mestry Empowering principals to lead and manage public schools effectively in the 21st century South African Journal of Education change management continuing professional development curriculum leadership instruction principalship professionalization qualifications training |
author_facet |
Raj Mestry |
author_sort |
Raj Mestry |
title |
Empowering principals to lead and manage public schools effectively in the 21st century |
title_short |
Empowering principals to lead and manage public schools effectively in the 21st century |
title_full |
Empowering principals to lead and manage public schools effectively in the 21st century |
title_fullStr |
Empowering principals to lead and manage public schools effectively in the 21st century |
title_full_unstemmed |
Empowering principals to lead and manage public schools effectively in the 21st century |
title_sort |
empowering principals to lead and manage public schools effectively in the 21st century |
publisher |
Education Association of South Africa |
series |
South African Journal of Education |
issn |
0256-0100 2076-3433 |
publishDate |
2017-02-01 |
description |
Globally, education systems have been affected by radical social, political and economic changes. Although school principals play a pivotal role in improving student learning and attaining educational outcomes, they work under strenuous conditions to deal with multifaceted transformational issues. Principals experience great difficulty in coping with numerous changes, partly because they are inadequately prepared for their leadership position, or simply lack the necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes to lead and manage schools effectively and efficiently. Fundamentally, principals should be empowered to effectively deal with challenges facing them in the 21st century. Using qualitative research, this study explored the importance of promoting a culture of professional development that will prepare principals to confront education challenges and obstacles facing them. Fifteen principals were selected to determine their perceptions and experiences of how they were prepared and professionally developed to lead and manage schools. Findings revealed that in South Africa, there is no formal preparation for aspiring or practicing principals taking on leadership and management positions, and very few in-service professional development programmes are available. There is a dire need for education authorities to introduce compulsory training and development programmes for aspiring and practicing school leaders to lead and manage their schools successfully. |
topic |
change management continuing professional development curriculum leadership instruction principalship professionalization qualifications training |
url |
http://www.sajournalofeducation.co.za/index.php/saje/article/view/1334/687 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT rajmestry empoweringprincipalstoleadandmanagepublicschoolseffectivelyinthe21stcentury |
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