The role of the principal in leading and managing teaching and learning in Lesotho : a case study of distributed leadership in two primary schools in the distric of Botha-Bothe.

摘要

Education in Lesotho was not available to all children until the year 2000 with theudintroduction of the Free Primary Education policy. Since then, the huge rise in enrolments,udthe abolition of school fees, the effects of new policies and the problems of HIV/AIDS haveudexpanded the demands on the principal while limited human and financial resources threatenudthe quality of education.udThis study investigates the role of two principals in the Botha Bothe district in the leadershipudand management of teaching and learning as well as the strategies they employ to overcomeudthe difficulties. Special attention is given to distributed leadership so that accountable,udeffective and efficient leadership and management can take place.udQualitative methodology has been used through instruments such as questionnaires, followupudinterviews and observations to obtain data from the principals at the schools, one deputyudprincipal and three to four teachers each.udThe findings indicate that the perceived main role of the principal at both these schools is managingudand leading teaching and learning to the required standard. In both schools, it has been found thatudprincipals share their complex managerial duties with teachers and deputy principals, that mostudteachers willingly give of their time to contribute to the success of the school in this way andudunderstand the need for doing so.udBy incorporating and respecting teachers’ contributions to leadership, the study shows how bothudprincipals cope with their particular leadership challenges. While the strategies used can serve as audguide to others within similar contexts, the researcher suggests that the education authorities inudLesotho need to be more aware of the problems facing schools, should make sufficient human andudphysical resources available to help principals manage the schools properly, and provide for AIDSudorphans adequately.udIn addition, support for quality education in the form of ongoing professional development for bothudprincipals and teachers is needed, and more research needs to be conducted related to education issuesudin Lesotho.