Exploring the management role of senior lecturers in Technical Vocational Education and Training Colleges.

Abstract

This study is a qualitative case study which was undertaken to explore the management role of senior lecturers in three TVET colleges that are based in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. There is great pressure from the government, industry and other external stakeholders that TVET colleges must improve student results and to provide skilled and capable workforce. College management, particularly senior lecturers are viewed as the critical tier in layers of management at the campus in terms of influencing student performance. The study sought to unpack the manner in which senior lecturers enact their roles and responsibilities as managers. Five senior lecturers were interviewed from different TVET colleges. The interviews were audio taped and then transcribed for analysis. The outcome from the analysis indicated that senior lecturers focused on the following roles when enacted their roles as managers (a) Teaching and learning; (b) Supervision of teaching and learning; (c) Promoting a positive learning environment; (d) Monitoring; (e) Quality management.