A critical investigation into course development for the preparation of school leaders

Many schools in South Africa suffer from the consequences of bad leadership and management practices. A contributing factor to this problem is the inadequate preparation of school leaders for the wide variety of challenges facing them. This study formed part of a three-year project to develop a preparation programme for school leaders in the Southern Cape area of South Africa. Its aims focussed on the identification of principles for the design of preparation programmes leading to improvements in practice. Twelve teachers and principals participated in the project. They enrolled for a programme in school leadership designed and offered by the University of Port Elizabeth in consultation and cooperation with the Southern Cape Learning Resource Unit in George. Five sources were utilized for the provision of data: - The existing literature on the development of preparation programmes; - The group of twelve participants of the programme; - The four school principals in the group who acted as a focus group; - The staff and certain documents from the schools where these four principals are employed; - Local stakeholders with an interest in the success of the programme. Research methods typical of the interpretive tradition were utilized in orderto arrive at a better understanding of the needs of participants and of those elements of programmes which have the greatest impact on practice. Among the insights to have emerged from the study are the following: - The fact that the preparation of school leaders is a complex and multifaceted process which is enhanced by variety, continuous interaction between presenters and participants, flexibilityt o respond to changing needs and contexts, and an ongoing implementation in and feedback from practice ; - The central role played in the professional and academic growth of participants by individuals and groups around them; - The importance of action research as a tool in the accomplishment of a variety of goals in the preparation of school leaders. The main contributions of this study include: - A framework for the development of preparation programmes, ensuring the inclusion of a wide range of elements enhancing the effectiveness of the course; - A framework for the establishment of professional networks supporting participants in preparation programmes