The effectiveness of the Superintendents of Education Management (SEMs)
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Date
2006
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Abstract
This study involves an investigation into the effectiveness of the Superintendents of Education Management (SEMs). In order to gain insight into the effectiveness of the SEMs relevant literature pertaining to effective leadership was reviewed. The literature review deals mainly with the following aspects:
> Effective leadership.
> Characteristics of effective SEMs.
> Tasks of effective SEMs.
Literature on the following aspects of effective leadership was also reviewed:
> The occupational world of the SEMs.
> Building and maintaining of relationships.
The descriptive method of research was used to collect data with regard to the effectiveness of the SEMs. The investigation was aided by an empirical research comprising a structured questionnaire completed by 153 principals in the Msinga Circuit Management Centre, Ukhahlamba Region of the KwaZuIu-Natal Department of Education, in an effort to obtain the views of the principals on the effectiveness of the SEMs in their circuits. The respondents consisted of one hundred and nine (109) male principals and forty four (44) female principals. The age of the respondents ranges from thirty one (31) to over fifty (+50) years. Thirty two (32) out of 185 principals could not afford to complete the questionnaires citing different reasons.
The descriptive method of research was used to analyse the collected data. From the information gathered the following are the most important findings of the research regarding the effectiveness of the SEMs:
> SEMs trust the principals as their colleagues and have empathy for the task they perform.
> SEMs base their leadership on the values of the community.
> SEMs have good management skills and base their leadership on the needs of their subordinates.
> SEMs understand the importance of a healthy school climate for effective teaching and learning.
> Principals have a high opinion of sound tactics used by SEMs in matters involving cultural groups.
> SEMs are open-minded and work collaboratively with the principals by taking their opinion into account.
> SEMs play a vital role in encouraging the networking of schools in their circuits.
The study also revealed that:
> There is no effective cooperation between the SEMs and the teacher unions.
> Principals are not happy with the salary backlog for educators because it affects the performance of educators in the classrooms.
> SEMs do not communicate their circuit mission statements to all stakeholders.
> SEMs have done nothing to assist the educators who failed to meet the curriculum objectives, which has a negative impact on the schools' final results.
Based on the findings, the following recommendations were submitted:
> That the SEMs should encourage and monitor the implementation of Whole School Evaluation (WSE), the Developmental Appraisal System (DAS) and Integrated Quality Management Systems (IQMS). This will provide the SEMs
with relevant information concerning the performance of educators in schools. The analysis of information from the abovementioned systems will provide the department with the grey areas that need urgent attention.
>. That the SEMs in consultation with all the stakeholders should formulate the circuit policy.
> That the schools should be divided into clusters in terms of proximity and cluster coordinators. This will help SEMs with timeous distribution of information to schools.
In conclusion a summary was presented based on the findings of the study. The following are some of the recommendations that have been made for further study:
> That the influence of the SEMs in the final school results, more especially Grade 12, be investigated.
> That the impact of the salary backlog on educators in their teaching and learning tasks in the schools be investigated.
> "Why a lack of punctuality seems to be a way of life for some educators in high ranking positions.
Description
Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF EDUCATION
in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education of the
Faculty of Education at the University of Zululand, 2006.
Keywords
School management and organization--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal., School superintendents--Rating of--South Africa, Educational leadership--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal.