Curriculum and Instructional Studies

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https://hdl.handle.net/10530/464

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Browsing Curriculum and Instructional Studies by Author "Duma, M.A.N"

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    An evaluation of the integrated quality management system as an appraisal tool for teachers in iLembe District, KwaZulu-Natal
    (University of Zululand, 2017) Mthembu, Rose Jabulile; Mncube, D.W; Duma, M.A.N
    This study focuses on the critical evaluation of how the Integrated Quality Management System as an appraisal tool is implemented in a few selected schools in the ILembe District. In recent times, the system of education in South Africa has required teachers who are highly skilled to impart knowledge of high quality to learners. The introduction of Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) was meant to enhance the quality of teaching and learning by addressing the matter of developmental appraisal in order to enhance teachers’ professional development. This approach has been facing serious challenges and attracted unjustified criticism for quite some time. Since teachers’ performance has been under the spotlight as measured by learners’ results, it is important to evaluate their performance using a highly reliable instrument which can produce learners who can compete globally. This research was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies that were based on a case study approach of 10 schools that were purposefully selected from rural, semi-rural, urban and semi-urban areas. Data from district officials, principals, deputy principals and Heads of Department were collected through interviews, and questionnaires were used to collect data from six teachers at each school. The findings indicate that most teachers are finding it difficult to implement the IQMS policy effectively. The major concern was that managers are reluctant to participate in the process, and do not comply with the requirement of the IQMS, namely the advocacy and training of teachers before they embark on the process of the IQMS. The researcher recommends the use of IQMS for effective teachers’ through professional development and keeping politics out of this process.
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    Factors influencing learners’ performance in Geography in the National Senior Certificate Examination in selected public high schools within uThungulu District
    (University of Zululand, 2017) Ahiaku, Philip Kwashi Atiso; Duma, M.A.N; Mncube, D.W
    The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence the low academic performance of learners in geography during the National Senior Certificate examination within the uThungulu District. The study made use of the national and district matriculation results from the examination directorate of the Department of Basic Education. The conceptualisation developed from the contemporary literature was used to develop instruments for data collection. A questionnaire was developed to collect views from Grade 12 geography educators on factors influencing learner performance in the district. It also solicited ideas about what should be done to improve learner performance in the subject. The second phase of data collection was qualitative study, which was conducted to augment the quantitative findings, which took place at the same time. Fifty (50) questionnaires were issued and only forty (40) educators responded and ten (10) other educators were taken through an interview. The district geography subject adviser was also interviewed. The results indicate that there are various factors that impede learner performances in geography in the district. The results from both descriptive and inferential statistics reveal factors such as educator characteristics, school management and resource availability, parental involvement in education and learner characteristics as emerging factors influencing the performance of learners in geography. Learners’ average matriculation (matric) results from the schools were estimated against educators’ characteristics such as qualifications, experience in teaching the subject, approaches used in teaching, and matric marking experience. The relationship between the independent and the dependent variables was determined using the t-test at 0.05 level of significance. The result indicated that in the uThungulu District learners’ performance in geography is strongly influenced by educators’ qualifications, and experience in matric marking. Findings from the this study were compared with the existing contemporary literature to enable the researcher to make recommendations to stakeholders to remedy deficiencies found to impede learners’ performance in geography in the National Senior Certificate in public high schools within the uThungulu District.
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    The role of Principals as Instructional Leaders: the case of Umlalazi Inspection Circuit in South Africa
    (University of Zululand, 2017) Magwaza, L.T; Duma, M.A.N; Gamede, B.T
    This qualitative study explored the roles of principals as instructional leaders. Several models of instructional leadership were briefly discussed, and a theoretical framework for the present study was outlined. Individual interviews were conducted with principals, deputy principals, heads of department and post-level 1 educators. Qualitative data were collected using interviews and questionnaires. Themes and sub-themes emerged from the study. It was found that the quality of the role of the principal posed a challenge to principals. The participants reported that principals were expected to manage the school in terms of day-to-day functionality, buildings and grounds maintenance, managing of finances and human resources, and many other matters. On the other hand, the principal was also expected to be an instructional leader, which involved setting clear goals, allocating resources to instruction, managing the curriculum, monitoring teaching and learning, and creating opportunities that were conducive to learning. It was found that most secondary school principals concentrated on management instead of instructional leadership.