The role of School Management Team in the facilitation of whole school evaluation in primary schools
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Date
2009
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Abstract
The study investigates the role school management teams in whole school evaluation. Education institutions are faced with changes and new policies that need to be implemented in order to achieve the national educational goals of quality education in schools. The South African Schools Act, No 84 of 1996, positions SMT as leaders in schools. Therefore SMTs have a responsibility of working collaboratively with the staff to implement whole school evaluation. The whole school evaluation policy provides guidelines on how to conduct internal evaluation, followed by external evaluation, which will be conducted by departmental officials.
Literature was reviewed on the strategies that need to be adopted by SMTs to implement whole school evaluation successfully. Empirical study involved the use of a questionnaire consisting of closed and open-ended questions .The study was conducted in Umbumbulu circuit which is within Umlazi district The population for survey consisted of 130 schools.
The study revealed that SMT members are not well-equipped to implement whole school evaluation in their schools. The following are the key findings:
♦> Some SMT members lack knowledge about WSE
❖ Some SMT members still resist change which entails implementation of WSE
❖ Minimal departmental support to adequately capacitate SMT members to facilitate WSE is evidenced.
♦> There is poor sharing of information among members of school SMT in school
The following are key recommendations that are offered:
❖ SMT members should be given adequate training by the Department of Education in respect of WSE
❖ Staff involvement is crucial for decision making about WSE
❖ School development teams must be established to promote WSE
This study is regarded as significant because it provides valuable information about the role of school management team in the facilitation, of whole school evaluation in primary schools.. The strategies that are required for the successful implementation of WSE provided via literature review suggest important mechanism and ideas which SMTs can use to implement effective WSE programmes.
Description
Mini-dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of Master of Education Degree in the Department of Educational Planning and Administration at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2009.
Keywords
School management teams