The implementation of teacher support teams at schools : issues and experiences.
Loading...
Date
2005
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Teacher Support Teams have recently been established at all schools within the
Republic of South Africa. Their success, however, has been mixed and some have
ceased to function at all. It has therefore been the purpose of this research project to
evaluate the current status of implementation at a sample of schools within one circuit
of the Ilembe district within the KwaZulu Natal Department of Education.
This study therefore reports on the degree of success experienced by schools in the
operation of Teacher Support Teams as they have grappled with the harsh realities of
the communities that they serve. Many problems and obstacles serve to impede their
progress and it is the intention of this study to learn from these experiences. In so
doing, one is in a position to provide added and valued support to such schools.
Lastly, the research aims to assess whether there are significant differences between
the experiences and the nature of interventions between primary and secondary schools.
A survey methodology was conducted that utilised a standardised questionnaire and
thereafter, a semi-structured interview. Both quantitative and qualitative data provided
an insight into the issues confronting Teacher Support Teams, and thereby allowed for
recommendations to follow that could assist in future advocacy programmes. A
critique of current theoretical frameworks is provided, followed by a more pragmatic
approach that is suggested as an alternative to better suit the context of South African schools.
Description
Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.
Keywords
Teacher work groups., Teaching teams., Theses--Education.