THE ROLE OF SCHOOL MANAGEMENT TEAMS IN CURRICULUM …

THE ROLE OF SCHOOL MANAGEMENT TEAMS IN CURRICULUM CHANGE MANAGEMENT

by NKHANGWELENI FLORENCE NDOU

Submitted in part fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of

MASTER OF EDUCATION in the subject

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT at the

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

SUPERVISOR:

DR H M VAN DER MERWE

MARCH 2008

Student number: 3520-894-5

DECLARATION I declare that this dissertation of limited scope, entitled "THE ROLE OF SCHOOL MANAGEMENT TEAMS IN CURRICULUM CHANGE MANAGEMENT", is my own work and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references.

................................... Signature (Mrs. N F Ndou)

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank the following for their valuable inspiration:

? The Almighty God, for giving me power and courage to start and finish this work. ? The principals and educators who participated in the study via interviews. ? My supervisor, Dr H. M van der Merwe, for her enthusiasm, constant encouragement,

support and inspiration as well as her guidance from the beginning of this work until the end. Without her assistance this work would have never been completed. ? Mr N L. Mudau, for typing the document. ? The Department of Education in the Limpopo Province for allowing me to conduct research in the selected secondary schools in the Tshilamba circuit of the Vhembe District. ? My children, Wofhatwa and Tanya, who inspired me to start this work. ? Messrs Z Nengome, T. J Mathoni and S. R Ravhutsi, for their guidance, support and their persistent desire to know the progress of my work.

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DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my parents, Josiah and Luvhengo Mphephu.

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ABSTRACT The study focused on the role of the school management team in curriculum change management. Apart from a literature review, an empirical investigation based on a qualitative research paradigm involving semi-structured individual and focus group interviews was used to collect data at three secondary schools in the Tshilamba circuit in Limpopo Province. Literature findings revealed that although, in the first place, politically inclined the introduction of Curriculum 2005 was also steered by the socio-economic needs of the country. Empirical findings elicited that although managing curriculum changes was a challenging effort on account of an initial and continuous lack of adequate training, the school management teams of the selected schools were acquainted with significant knowledge and skills on curriculum change management. This pertains to lesson plan management, supporting and monitoring educators, managing the school register and timetable and managing school finances to select teaching and learning resources.

Key terms: School management team, curriculum change process, curriculum implementation, curriculum, change, curriculum change, factors influencing curriculum change, Curriculum 2005, phases in managing curriculum change, the role of educators in the changed curriculum.

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