Kommunikasie van die skoolhoof met die ouerhuis

Abstract

This research is concerned with the following two questions, namely: • Are the means of communication, which principals of white secondary schools currently use when communicating with parents, sufficient in the changing social structure? • Does the principal use existing communications media effectively in order to promote a partnership between parents and school, in the new educational system which is presently being evolved in the new South Africa? The nature, essence and function of home and school, in coherence with other social structures in the system of education, are discussed. on the basis of this encapsulation of social structures, implications regarding communication between principal and parents, are deduced. The nature of communication, represented herein as a management task undertaken by the principal during his interaction with parents, is discussed. certain spheres for effective collaboration in education are explored. Guide lines, which may result in an effective strategy for meaningful communication with parents, are proposed. Statistical analyses of data, derived from questionnaires sent to a number of principals, are undertaken. These questionnaires were designed to: • Assess method and skill in the use of various communication techniques, • ascertain the reasons for specific communications, and • determine the sources of communication that are used. An interpretation of the results of these statistical analyses is discussed, and recommendations are made for a programme to promote greater parental involvement through an effective, well planned communication system at every individual school. The recommendations also include the initial training of teachers and the in-service training of principals and their executive staff members in the various techniques of communication. A proposal to produce an open line of communication between school and parents is then discussed. In conclusion, certain proposals for further research are put forward.