Principals' views on challenges of their school governance roles

Principals' views on challenges of their school governance roles

Author: 
Xaba, Mgadla Isaac
Publisher: 
Taylor & Francis
Date published: 
2014
Record type: 
Responsibility: 
Nhlapo, Velaphi Aaron, jt. author
Journal Title: 
Africa Education Review
Source: 
Africa Education Review, Vol. 11, Issue No.3, 2014, pp. 424-444
Abstract: 

This article explores principals’ views regarding governance challenges they experience at schools. We conducted focus group interviews with primary and secondary school principals, purposely and conveniently selected from township schools in two Gauteng Province’s districts. We found that principals were challenged mostly by having to balance their roles as ex officio school governing body members and their roles as bona fide members of school governing bodies (SGBs). Other challenges found were confirmatory of other school governors’ views as reported in numerous studies, related to among others, the specialist nature of governance functions, poor training of school governors, difficulties associated with governor recruitment and unwillingness of parents to serve as governors. There is therefore a need for a re-clarification of the principals’ roles, in terms of both their ex officio and bona fide SGB membership with regard to governance in the context of the functioning of the schools. This should include a review of the governing body structure, the re-allocation of specialist functions, customized and needs-based training of school governors

Language: 

CITATION: Xaba, Mgadla Isaac. Principals' views on challenges of their school governance roles . : Taylor & Francis , 2014. Africa Education Review, Vol. 11, Issue No.3, 2014, pp. 424-444 - Available at: https://library.au.int/principals-views-challenges-their-school-governance-roles-16