The management of educational change in Free State schools in terms of Curriculum 2005 and National Curriculum Statement

[摘要] English: Change is an integral part of society and thus finds expression in all spheresof life. Constitutional changes in South Africa also imply change in education.Change brings about insecurity, fear and resistance in the workforce and thisdemands that the school educational leader should manage change in such away that it could be successfully implemented. In order to equip educationalmanagers for the task of managing change, relevant training should beprovided. When the capabilities and deficiencies in the performance ofeducational managers regarding management of change are identified,programmes which will address the training needs of educational managerscan be designed.The focus of this study was to establish how educational managers managedchange with regards to the implementation of C2005 and NCS. Theintroduction of C2005 and NCS with its outcomes-based approach has beenthe subject of intense debate since 1990. The new political dispensationbased on the principle of human rights and the removal of discrimination onthe grounds of race, sex and religion compelled education to change and takethe role of preparing learners to be responsible citizens that would fit into thenew democratic society. C2005 and NCS differ radically from the traditional,in-put based approach to education by changing to an outcomes-basedapproach. This causes a change in the role of educational managers.Educational managers are responsible for the successful implementation ofthe new curriculum. Changes will also be necessary in the way the school isstructured and the delivery of the curriculum becomes crucial.Change is a complex concept. The study from various experts on change wasconducted. Change is characterized by aspects such as renewal, feelings,time, continuity and direction. Various forms and types of changes as well asstrategies for change have certain educational implications. The educationalmanager has to take into account the various aspects of change including theinternal and external factors which have an influence on change. The success of change lies in the manner in which it is implemented. Lewin andNiemanns' model of change gives educational managers a clear description ofprocedures to follow when one is faced with innovations.The research commenced with a study of C2005 and NCS. The literaturestudy showed that the new curriculum brought about changes in schoolorganization, mainly with regard to the integration of traditional subjects intolearning areas, the need to create a learner-centred environment and theintroduction of a continuous, formative assessment. The study showed thatthe educational managers' responsibilities include the management ofchange, staff development, knowledge of teaching strategies in C2005 andNCS context, effective communication, provision of resources and monitoring.A review of both the quantitative and the qualitative study of this researchproject clearly shows that the role of the educational manager has to changein C2005 and NCS environment. The demands are greater than beforebecause a great deal of staff development, support and motivation isnecessary for the successful implementation and maintenance of C2005 andNCS into schools.It is the responsibility of the school educational manager to acquire knowledgeand develop skills that will address these issues, and to set up the neededprocedures and programmes that will support these changes. The role of theeducational manager is to assist in maintaining a teaching staff that canprovide the best opportunities for teaching and learning. A conducive learningenvironment for quality teaching and learning should also be created. Forthese reasons, there is a need for the educational manager to acquire thenecessary knowledge and skills on change management. Trainingprogrammes can be designed to equip educational managers with skills tomanage change. Guidelines and change management model for the effectiveimplementation of C2005 and NCS concluded the study.

[发布机构] University of the Free State