Principals and the development of a component of personal mastery as an aspect of strategic leadership

M.Ed.Research indicates that the role of the principal as strategic leader is crucial in the achievement of educators and learners in the school. Leithwood (1995:13) corroborates this apparent correlation between the principal as strategic leader and the achievement of both educators and learners. With respect to learners, Leithwood cites specifics of learner behavioural patterns that are amenable to change by the principals' leadership strategy. These behavioural patterns are: positive attitudes of learners towards school; learner achievement in basic reading and mathematics, and reduced learner vandalism and learner absenteeism. With respect to educators, Leithwood also cites specific behavioural patterns that are amenable to change. These are: educator job satisfaction, educator use of innovative practices in the classroom and the educator's perception of the principal's leadership (ibid.). The correlation between the role of the principal as strategic leader and the overall effectiveness and outcome of education warrants investigation. The correlation once investigated will shed light on how to vigorously pursue the improvement in the quality of education