An evaluation of the effectiveness of school management teams of underperforming schools in the Central Region of the North West Province

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to empirically assess the role played by school management teams (SMTs) of under-performing secondary schools in the Central Region in their efforts to improve. The evaluation criteria applied were those for effective schools and school leadership derived from the literature study. The survey method was employed to gather the data. A pre-tested 43 item questionnaire was used to evaluate SMTs on 7 effectiveness criteria . The subjects of the study were 80 SMT members and 66 educators from 29 randomly selected trapped schools out of the 45 in the region . The empirical investigation conducted found that SMTs are not effective on most of the crucial effectiveness criteria such as strategic leadership and curriculum leadership. Significantly wide differences of opinion on their effectiveness between the two groups of respondents were observed. SMTs rated themselves as mostly effective, while educators on the other hand rated SMTs as generally ineffective. Lastly, on the question of what can be done to assist underperforming schools become more effective, the investigation makes two main recommendations. First, intensive induction programmes for newly-appointed SMTs as well as on-going capacity- building programmes for experienced ones should be implemented. Second, adequate resources coupled with sustained departmental support should be provided.