The role of an external environmental analysis in the strategic management of teacher training colleges in South Africa

Abstract

The aims of this study are to determine the nature of strategic management, with specific reference to the external environmental analysis; to analyze emerging trends and challenges in the external environment of teacher training colleges and to provide guidelines for the strategic repositioning of teacher training colleges in South Africa. By means of a literature study it was determined that fundamental changes in the external environment of teacher training colleges in South Africa necessitated that these organizations adopt a pro-active approach with the intention of prospering in the future. Teacher training colleges need to engage in a process of strategic management. A vast range of stakeholders recently became involved in education. As external forces, not under the direct control of an organization, are always dominant in determining the organization's destiny, the external environment of teacher training colleges has been analyzed with the aim of identifying changes that could directly and indirectly influence these organizations. Based on the external environmental analysis, a number of principles for future education have been identified. A number of guidelines for possible changes in the strategy of teacher training colleges were finally laid down.