Tradition as an aspect of school culture : implications for school effectiveness

M.Ed.One of the most critical educational challenges confronting school managers and educators is making schools effective. School effectiveness in Mpumalanga Province has been challenged by the media and stakeholders in education such as none governmental bodies(NGO), parents and political parties. The purpose of this research essay was to examine tradition as an aspect of school culture and its implication for school effectiveness. In the context of the changing focus towards school improvement, it is essential that schools should strive towards effectiveness. The general aim of this research was to investigate the characteristics of effective schools in the Mpumalanga Province. In order to achieve the general aim it was the specific aim of this research to investigate the perception of various stakeholder such as principals, educators, parents and NGO's in respect of tradition as an aspect of school culture and its implications for school effectiveness. It was also the specific aim of this research to provide guideline that can be used by principals in order to enhance tradition as an aspect of school culture to improve school effectiveness. In chapter one the problem of this research was elucidated. The aims of the research and the methodology to be used were also provided. The chapter also outlined certain assumptions involved and clarified the key concepts of the research title. Chapter two reviewed the literature and built a conceptual framework of tradition as an aspect of school culture. It revealed the contextual nature of the concept by applying it to the South African situation. The implications of tradition as an aspect of school effectiveness was clarified. Chapter three dealt with the design of the research instrument and discussed questions formulated in respect of tradition as an aspect of school culture. A discussion of the respondents sampled, their biographical and the response-rate of the questionnaire was also discussed. Chapter four dealt with the analysis and interpretation of a selected sample of the empirical data The construct validity of the structured questionnaire as research instrument was investigated using two successive factor analytic procedures that reduced the 105 items to three factors, namely: accountable collaborative management, open democratic management and normative management. Chapter five linked the interpretation of the findings of chapter two, three and four and reflected on the reliability and validity of the research findings. It also dealt with the recommendations of the research and provided a conclusion