Managing the schools : the educator's perceptions in the Lichtenburg Area Project Office

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the perception of educators on managing change in schools of Lichtenburg Area Project Office. A questionnaire with four-licket scale was used. The questionnaire incl~ded the questions on some factors that may result \ '- in poor management of change in schools, the promoting management of change in education, the development of human resource through training and the change in curriculwn. Two open-ended questions\ were also asked to the respondents to cite if change in :education causes frustration, anxiety and depression. j The questionnaire was administered to 30 educators, 120 schools management team (SMT's). Out of the total sample size 150 (n=l50), 30 (n=30) were drawn from the educators and 120 (n::;:;120) were from the school management teams. A total of 133 (88,6%) usable questionnaires were returned. Respondents were asked to express their perceptions by strongly disagreeing, disagreeing, agreeing or strongly agreeing on various aspects. Data were analysed statistically by the use of SPSS - Programme. Frequent distributions, percentages mean and standard deviations were computed. To determine ~hether the perceptions of the two groups were significant, the Spearman's Rank .Correlation was computed. The fmdings revealed that respondents perceived positively to the various number of aspects of managing change in schools. Respondents strongly agreed that enough workshops for educators will enhance the knowledge and skills to implement change effectively. The involvement of all stakeholders in macro planning will improve the quality of education. Development of physical and human resources to all schools to ensure that the implementers are equipped with information to manage change effectively. It was concluded that for the effective implementation and management of change, schools need the support of all stakeholders concern.