Position power of the principal in decision making
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Date
2002
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Abstract
The research examines the position power of the principals in decision making with a view to establishing how learners and educators respond to the principals' decisions. It also explores the principals' involvement with school management team and school governing body in decision making and how the Department of Education helps or hinders the principals in decision making.
Questionnaires were used by the researcher to establish the above scope of the study.
The researcher found that the principal's decisions are accepted by school management team, school governing body and learners if these parties were involved in the decision-making process. Educators were found to be sometimes difficult and, instead of contributing positively to decision making, they use the opportunity to criticise the principal and thereby hinder the decision-making process.
The study reveals that the respondents feel that the attitude of the principals towards learners, educators and parents contribute to how their decisions are accepted by all these parties. From the study it is established that principals use their skills and knowledge to facilitate the effectiveness of their position power, and thereby influence the decisions positively in order to get work done.
The study also reveals that the principals involve the school governing body in decision making. This improves the relationship between principals and school governing bodies and results in commitment to the implementation of decisions, and therefore the success of the school. There is a low involvement of school management team in decision¬making, and this is a problem for the school community as a whole as it will result in poor implementation of decisions.
The study further reveals that the interaction between the Department of Education and the principals is inadequate. The principals are not involved in the policy-making decisions that affect their schools and this in turn causes problems for the principals in the implementation of these decisions. This results in principals having to contact the Department of Education requesting direction even on petty issues. Inadequate involvement of principals by the Department is disempowering, and threatens the fulfillment of the Department of Education's intention of empowering schools.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the FACULTY OF EDUCATION at the UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF EDUCATION in the Department of Educational Planning and Administration, 2002.
Keywords
School management and organization, Decision making., School principals--South Africa., School management teams--South Africa.