Principals and their possible power to influence quality education

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The National Department of Basic Education is aware that it is not succeeding in providingquality education for all school children. At present the performance of grade 3 and grade6 learners, in both international and local assessment, is a matter for great concern. Theresults suggest that most learners lack basic literacy and numeracy skills. Learners'performance in the National Senior Certificate Examinations is also far from what it shouldbe.The way in which schools are managed largely determines the quality of educationlearners receive. As the managers of schools, therefore, principals are held responsible forthe poor performance of learners during these annual systemic evaluations.The study aimed to investigate whether the school principals are aware of their powersand whether they perceive themselves as able to use their power to influence schoolpractices positively and thus promote quality education.The study indicates that principals rely on a combination of positional and personal powersources to promote quality education. The study also indicates that principals are aware oftheir power but have a limited understanding of the concept of power. They also seem tolack the knowledge and understanding to exercise these powers effectively. Although theyseem able to exercise considerable power in different situations, principals are reluctant touse their power. It seems that various external and internal factors influence their ability touse their power effectively.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University