The principals’ role in developing social capital for the promotion of healthy school environments

Abstract

School leaders’ individual and collective efforts are essential in the promotion of healthy school environments. In this respect, the building of social capital is very important for a school’s improvement. The aim of this paper was to determine the role principals played in developing social capital to enhance healthy school environments. The study was conducted in two districts, one in the Gauteng and the other in the Free State provinces of South Africa. It was undertaken as a qualitative research study that involved seven participants. Data collection strategies employed included narratives, individual interviews and field notes. The study was considered important in its application of the social capital theory to determine the role of principals in soliciting economic resources for their schools. From the findings, the main challenge that was common in all the participating schools was the lack of resources for the Promotion of Healthy School Environments. It was found that some principals were able to identify and approach companies that could assist their schools but were then unable to build trusting relationships. In view of the findings, this research recommends training to equip principals with skills to enable them to mobilise resources by taking advantage of social capital in their communities