Exploring participative decision-making and school effectiveness : A case study of three secondary schools in Maphumulo Circuit.
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Date
2015
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Abstract
There has always been a need for including school educators in decision-making in schools. Before democracy
school governance was in the hands of the principals and parents were represented by school committees which
were just there to demand school fees from parents. Therefore, introduction of decentralized decision-making
has been advocated by different researchers as a culture that benefits schools and learners. Inviting different
stakeholders in decision-making in the schools depends mostly on the leadership style practiced by the
principal. As a result, qualitative study was undertaken to explore experiences and perspectives of educators in
participative decision-making and school effectiveness. This is a case study of three secondary schools in
Maphumulo Circuit. The focus of the study was based on the assumption that educator participation in decisionmaking
in their schools could benefit the school and its clients who are the parents.
The study made use of semi-structured interviews and documents analysis to generate data. Interview sessions were
recorded and transcribed before they were analyzed. In addition, the data from transcription was coded and the themes
were developed from coded data. Documents were also analyzed, which was done to ensure reliability and
conformability of document. The result of the study revealed that: (i) School practice a top-down communication, that is
when decisions are imposed on educators. Educators participate in decision-making process. (ii) There is evidence of
educator participation in decision in one of these schools. (iii)Enhancing quality education there is a belief that when
educators are included in decision-making quality of education offered by the school improves. (iv) Teacher’s leadership
is possible in the situation were democracy prevails.(v) Teachers’ participation in decision-making process and school
effectiveness.(vi) The data revealed that educators’ involvement in decision-making is crucial in moving the school to the
high levels when it comes to teaching and learning and is highly valued.(vii) Barriers to teacher participation in decision
making. It appeared that in spite of benefits there are also two barriers that hinder educators from participating in
decision- making in their schools. (a) Communication brake down. It was discovered that is a communication breakdown
between school management and the teachers. (b) Educator intelligence. It transpired that in these schools there was
an undermining of educator intelligence.
Description
Master of Education in Educational Leadership, Management and Policy. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood 2015.
Keywords
Educational leadership--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal., Decision making--Education--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal., Teacher effectiveness--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal., Management--Employee participation--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal., Participative decision-making.