The role of principals in the management of textbooks in no-fee rural primary schools

Abstract

This mini dissertation is on the role of the principal in the management of textbooks in no-fee rural primary schools. There are inadequate studies that have been conducted in the area of textbooks management in South Africa. This study focuses on investigating principals’ experiences in the management of textbooks regarding their responsibilities of managing textbooks, the challenges they encounter when managing textbooks as well as the strategies they deploy to overcome such challenges. The study used Hill, Jones & Schilling (2014) strategic management theory and resource-based theory/views (RBV) by Das & Teng (2000) as lenses to argue that principals can manage textbooks effectively irrespective of the challenges they experience. This study adopted a qualitative approach anchored in an interpretivist’s paradigm and a case study research design. Data for the study was generated through the use of literature review, interviews, observations and document analysis. Five rural primary schools’ principals were purposely selected to participate in the study. The study found out that principals are managing textbooks in schools although their management is hampers by poor textbooks storage facilities, damaging and theft of textbooks, late delivery of textbooks, reluctance of some teachers to engage effectively in the management of textbooks and poor monitoring of textbooks. The study recommends to the department of education to enforce the use of textbooks monitoring systems in schools and provide proper storage facilities for textbooks in schools. It also recommends for principals to involve parents in the management of textbooks and to capacitate teachers in the area of textbooks management