How secondary school educators experience principal support during the implementation of Outcomes-Based Education (OBE)

Abstract

This research seeks to examine the experience of educators regarding the support they receive from their principals during the implementation process of OBE at secondary school level. The study thus intends to explore the reaction of educators towards OBE as a newly introduced approach in South Africa and the impact of managerial support to educators towards the implementation of OBE. This study is a case study of two secondary schools at Vuwani in Limpopo Province. The study uses the questionnaires, face-to-face interview and focus group interviews to collect data. Questionnaires were distributed randomly among teachers of the two schools. The principals of the two schools were interviewed. Few educators were engaged in a focus group interviews. Categories and themes were used to analyse the data. Educators were given two weeks to complete and return the questionnaires. Each principal was interviewed once for an hour. Focus group interviews were conducted once in each school for a period of two hours. Letters to the principals and the educators of the respective schools were written to seek permission and positive participation in the case study. Five major themes emerged from the study: 1. Management and leadership skills 2. Resources 3. Workshops and / or courses and / or In-service training 4. Problem solving skills 5. Communication and networking