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An investigation into the organisational culture at an academically successful secondary school in Namibia
- Authors: Awarab, Erwin Ronald
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Corporate culture -- Namibia -- Case studies , Organizational behavior -- Namibia -- Case studies , School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies , Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies , Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Case studies , Educational change -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1612 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003494
- Description: The appreciation by leadership of the culture of an organisation plays an important role in the success of that organisation. Leadership and organisation culture are an inextricable part of the life of an organisation. The shared assumptions and beliefs of the individual within an organisation shape its culture. My study investigates the aspects of school culture and, further, looks at its link to the success of an organisation, and at the leadership style that influences such an organisation. My research, conducted in the interpretive paradigm, is a case study which was carried out at a public secondary school in the capital city of Windhoek, in Namibia. Since the school was built during South African rule, it was intended mainly for white children. Since independence, it has undergone transformation and is currently integrated, accommodating learners from different cultural backgrounds. It is a successful school, with a good reputation for its discipline and academic excellence. I chose this school deliberately, for those reasons. My findings are that there are aspects of culture which maintain its creation and perpetuate the existence of a particular culture at the school. This school’s culture is embedded within the Christian faith, and there are deliberate rituals and ceremonies put in place to enhance the creation and maintenance of the values that inform its culture, and the school leadership, management, teachers and student council members have a central role in this regard. My study shows that the creation, understanding and appreciation of beliefs and values of the individual within the organisation enable the consequent creation of the shared vision and values that ultimately lead to the foundation and maintenance of a strong culture.
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- Authors: Awarab, Erwin Ronald
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Corporate culture -- Namibia -- Case studies , Organizational behavior -- Namibia -- Case studies , School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies , Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies , Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Case studies , Educational change -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1612 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003494
- Description: The appreciation by leadership of the culture of an organisation plays an important role in the success of that organisation. Leadership and organisation culture are an inextricable part of the life of an organisation. The shared assumptions and beliefs of the individual within an organisation shape its culture. My study investigates the aspects of school culture and, further, looks at its link to the success of an organisation, and at the leadership style that influences such an organisation. My research, conducted in the interpretive paradigm, is a case study which was carried out at a public secondary school in the capital city of Windhoek, in Namibia. Since the school was built during South African rule, it was intended mainly for white children. Since independence, it has undergone transformation and is currently integrated, accommodating learners from different cultural backgrounds. It is a successful school, with a good reputation for its discipline and academic excellence. I chose this school deliberately, for those reasons. My findings are that there are aspects of culture which maintain its creation and perpetuate the existence of a particular culture at the school. This school’s culture is embedded within the Christian faith, and there are deliberate rituals and ceremonies put in place to enhance the creation and maintenance of the values that inform its culture, and the school leadership, management, teachers and student council members have a central role in this regard. My study shows that the creation, understanding and appreciation of beliefs and values of the individual within the organisation enable the consequent creation of the shared vision and values that ultimately lead to the foundation and maintenance of a strong culture.
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The role of management and leadership in the schooling of at-risk learners: a case study of a school in Namibia
- Authors: Ipinge, Emma
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies , Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies , Education and state -- Namibia , School discipline -- Namibia , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- Namibia Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1750 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003634
- Description: Most schools that serve learners who come from disadvantaged areas and backgrounds face unusually difficult challenges. These schools experience poor performance and disciplinary problems, and teachers lack motivation and commitment. This study explores the role of leadership and management in the schooling of at-risk learners at Pandu Primary School. This school accommodates learners mostly from Hafo, a township characterised by poverty with a high crime rate. However, in spite of these factors school inspectors and advisory teachers perceive the school to be successful. The school uses an abundance of energy and unusually high levels of human effort in a very focused way to improve the teaching and learning standard. The study found the co-existence of apparently conflicting management and leadership approaches in managing and leading the school. Strict control used in the school to make teachers work hard is an element of classical organisational theory, with its emphasis on span of control or number of workers supervised. Policies with strict rules are in place to create a calm atmosphere and serve as directives for teachers and learners. On the other hand, constructivist approaches – such as instructional leadership, transformational leadership, collegial model of management and open systems – are also clearly evident in the findings. Instructional leadership is evident in the emphasis on improvement of classroom practice. Elements of transformational leadership are seen in that the principal motivates the teachers and serves as a role model. The school also has some features of the collegial model of management, and can be described as an open system. Thus, by drawing on management and leadership approaches informed by different traditions and philosophies, the school succeeds against severe odds.
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- Authors: Ipinge, Emma
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies , Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies , Education and state -- Namibia , School discipline -- Namibia , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- Namibia Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1750 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003634
- Description: Most schools that serve learners who come from disadvantaged areas and backgrounds face unusually difficult challenges. These schools experience poor performance and disciplinary problems, and teachers lack motivation and commitment. This study explores the role of leadership and management in the schooling of at-risk learners at Pandu Primary School. This school accommodates learners mostly from Hafo, a township characterised by poverty with a high crime rate. However, in spite of these factors school inspectors and advisory teachers perceive the school to be successful. The school uses an abundance of energy and unusually high levels of human effort in a very focused way to improve the teaching and learning standard. The study found the co-existence of apparently conflicting management and leadership approaches in managing and leading the school. Strict control used in the school to make teachers work hard is an element of classical organisational theory, with its emphasis on span of control or number of workers supervised. Policies with strict rules are in place to create a calm atmosphere and serve as directives for teachers and learners. On the other hand, constructivist approaches – such as instructional leadership, transformational leadership, collegial model of management and open systems – are also clearly evident in the findings. Instructional leadership is evident in the emphasis on improvement of classroom practice. Elements of transformational leadership are seen in that the principal motivates the teachers and serves as a role model. The school also has some features of the collegial model of management, and can be described as an open system. Thus, by drawing on management and leadership approaches informed by different traditions and philosophies, the school succeeds against severe odds.
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Democratic leadership and management practices in a rural Namibian secondary school
- Authors: Mabuku, Robert Nalisa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies , School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies , Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Case studies , Educational change -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1489 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003370
- Description: The primary purpose of this research was to investigate the understanding and implementation of democratic leadership and management in schools by school managers and other members of the school community in leadership and management roles as advocated by the policy of Education for all. The study also aimed at identifying any gaps in the understanding and practice of the participants in order to enhance democratic leadership and management in schools. Qualitative research using the interpretive approach was the methodology employed in order to fulfill the intention of the study, namely to investigate the participants` experiences and understanding of democratic education leadership and management. The case study method was appropriate to understand the meanings the participants attached to their practice in their natural setting. Data were collected by using semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and observation. The sample for the study consisted of ten participants: the principal, the head of department, two School Board members, two senior teachers, two Learner Representative Council members and two class captains. The findings suggest that the participants understood and practised democratic ELM in terms of broader participation, open communication, delegation for empowerment, learning organisation, shared decision-making, shared leadership and teamwork. However, the data suggest areas of concern in the participants` understanding and implementation of the policy which could be strengthened to entrench the policy. The study recommends that education policy makers, education managers, school managers, teachers, parents and learners all work towards improving democratic ELM in schools. In order to achieve this objective, policy makers are urged to avoid ambiguity to enable all implementers to fully understand policies. Education managers could ensure school-wide training on the policy while school managers and other stakeholders should engage in self-reflection and introspection and be more proactive towards improving their own understanding and practice.
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- Authors: Mabuku, Robert Nalisa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies , School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies , Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Case studies , Educational change -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1489 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003370
- Description: The primary purpose of this research was to investigate the understanding and implementation of democratic leadership and management in schools by school managers and other members of the school community in leadership and management roles as advocated by the policy of Education for all. The study also aimed at identifying any gaps in the understanding and practice of the participants in order to enhance democratic leadership and management in schools. Qualitative research using the interpretive approach was the methodology employed in order to fulfill the intention of the study, namely to investigate the participants` experiences and understanding of democratic education leadership and management. The case study method was appropriate to understand the meanings the participants attached to their practice in their natural setting. Data were collected by using semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and observation. The sample for the study consisted of ten participants: the principal, the head of department, two School Board members, two senior teachers, two Learner Representative Council members and two class captains. The findings suggest that the participants understood and practised democratic ELM in terms of broader participation, open communication, delegation for empowerment, learning organisation, shared decision-making, shared leadership and teamwork. However, the data suggest areas of concern in the participants` understanding and implementation of the policy which could be strengthened to entrench the policy. The study recommends that education policy makers, education managers, school managers, teachers, parents and learners all work towards improving democratic ELM in schools. In order to achieve this objective, policy makers are urged to avoid ambiguity to enable all implementers to fully understand policies. Education managers could ensure school-wide training on the policy while school managers and other stakeholders should engage in self-reflection and introspection and be more proactive towards improving their own understanding and practice.
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An investigation into perceptions of participative management in a Namibian secondary school
- Authors: Shilima, Christine
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies , Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies , Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Case studies , Education -- Parent participation -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1881 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005874
- Description: This study examines the perceptions and experiences of school stakeholders about the practices of participative management in a Namibian Secondary School. Data was collected by using interviews, observation and document analysis. The study revealed that participative management has some benefits for the school such as it promotes democracy in school management, school as an open system, sharing of ideas and skills, teamwork and that ownership and commitment enhance the chances for organization change. Participatory decision making and shared leadership are the practices of PM that emerged from this study. However the school does experience challenges such as lack of knowledge on the practice and potential of PM in school management and leadership, illiteracy among parents that prevent them from participation in management and autocratic management practices from some members in formal leadership. The study suggests that trust, relationships and openness are good interpersonal skills that can help enhance the practices of PM in the school. Other strategies were to sensitize stakeholders on the practices of PM.
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- Authors: Shilima, Christine
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies , Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies , Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Case studies , Education -- Parent participation -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1881 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005874
- Description: This study examines the perceptions and experiences of school stakeholders about the practices of participative management in a Namibian Secondary School. Data was collected by using interviews, observation and document analysis. The study revealed that participative management has some benefits for the school such as it promotes democracy in school management, school as an open system, sharing of ideas and skills, teamwork and that ownership and commitment enhance the chances for organization change. Participatory decision making and shared leadership are the practices of PM that emerged from this study. However the school does experience challenges such as lack of knowledge on the practice and potential of PM in school management and leadership, illiteracy among parents that prevent them from participation in management and autocratic management practices from some members in formal leadership. The study suggests that trust, relationships and openness are good interpersonal skills that can help enhance the practices of PM in the school. Other strategies were to sensitize stakeholders on the practices of PM.
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The role of leadership in a successful rural secondary school in Namibia: a case study
- Authors: Sinvula, Leonard Masene
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (Namibia) , Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies , School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies , Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Case studies , Rural schools -- Namibia -- Case studies , Education and state -- Namibia -- Case studies , Education -- Parent participation -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004925
- Description: The primary purpose of this qualitative case study research was to examine the role of leadership in a successful rural secondary school in Namibia. In Namibia, the Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (ESTIP) was initiated to provide, amongst other things, effective leadership in education. In addition, the Ministry developed a policy on the National Standards and Performance Indicators for Schools in Namibia to complement the objectives of ETSIP. The policy emphasizes leadership practices in schools such as professional competence, commitment, ability to direct, inspire and motivate interpersonal relationships and teams. The study drew on leadership theories and findings from related studies to make sense of the role played by leadership in this particular rural school in Namibia. The study uses the interpretive orientation as the methodology for investigating the leadership's role. This is in line with my attempt to determine stakeholder's experiences and perceptions of the leadership in the school. I collected data from three sources: semi-structured interviews, observation and document analysis. The findings of this study suggest that the leadership had a significant influence on the school's success. In particular it emerged that the school leadership played an instructional role to ensure there was effective teaching and learning and that they encouraged teamwork extensively in leading the school. The leadership provided internal support structures as well as external networking to garner support for the school from the wider community. The study has also revealed that there are challenges facing this rural school's leadership in terms of poor parental involvement. Challenges such as lack of parental commitment to the school, illiteracy among adults and a communication breakdown between the school and its parents are still rife. The school leadership addresses this challenge by participating in village meetings and utilizing them as a platform to discuss school matters with parents. Further research on this topic would be useful, including such institutions as rural primary schools, private schools and colleges in the Caprivi Region, as very little research has been done on leadership roles in schools in the rural areas of Namibia.
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- Authors: Sinvula, Leonard Masene
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (Namibia) , Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies , School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies , Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Case studies , Rural schools -- Namibia -- Case studies , Education and state -- Namibia -- Case studies , Education -- Parent participation -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004925
- Description: The primary purpose of this qualitative case study research was to examine the role of leadership in a successful rural secondary school in Namibia. In Namibia, the Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (ESTIP) was initiated to provide, amongst other things, effective leadership in education. In addition, the Ministry developed a policy on the National Standards and Performance Indicators for Schools in Namibia to complement the objectives of ETSIP. The policy emphasizes leadership practices in schools such as professional competence, commitment, ability to direct, inspire and motivate interpersonal relationships and teams. The study drew on leadership theories and findings from related studies to make sense of the role played by leadership in this particular rural school in Namibia. The study uses the interpretive orientation as the methodology for investigating the leadership's role. This is in line with my attempt to determine stakeholder's experiences and perceptions of the leadership in the school. I collected data from three sources: semi-structured interviews, observation and document analysis. The findings of this study suggest that the leadership had a significant influence on the school's success. In particular it emerged that the school leadership played an instructional role to ensure there was effective teaching and learning and that they encouraged teamwork extensively in leading the school. The leadership provided internal support structures as well as external networking to garner support for the school from the wider community. The study has also revealed that there are challenges facing this rural school's leadership in terms of poor parental involvement. Challenges such as lack of parental commitment to the school, illiteracy among adults and a communication breakdown between the school and its parents are still rife. The school leadership addresses this challenge by participating in village meetings and utilizing them as a platform to discuss school matters with parents. Further research on this topic would be useful, including such institutions as rural primary schools, private schools and colleges in the Caprivi Region, as very little research has been done on leadership roles in schools in the rural areas of Namibia.
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Learners' participation in leadership: a case study in a secondary school in Namibia
- Authors: Uushona, Andreas Bishi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies , Student participation in administration -- Namibia -- Case studies , School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies , Student government -- Namibia , Education, Secondary -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1395 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001749
- Description: Learner leadership is a worldwide issue in educational leadership and management. In preindependent Namibia secondary schools had the prefect system and the SRCs as learner leadership bodies which had little influence on schools’ decisions because they lacked credibility. In 2001 the Learners’ Representative Council (LRC) was legitimized as a learner leadership body in secondary schools through the Education Act 16 of 2001. However, recent research suggests that even these bodies are not functioning effectively for a variety of reasons. This prompted me to undertake research to develop an understanding of learners’ participation in leadership in a senior secondary school in Namibia. I used a qualitative case study, in an interpretive paradigm, in an attempt to achieve my research goal. The following questions guided the study: How is leadership understood by members of the organization? How learner leadership is understood? How are learners involved in leadership in the school? What potential exists for increased learners’ participation? What factors inhibit learners’ participation in leadership in the school? A population comprising of the school board chairperson, the principal, three heads of department, the superintendent, three teachers and five learners was composed from a senior secondary school in Namibia. Data were collected through focus groups, interviews, document analysis and observation and analyzed thematically for reflective discussion. The findings revealed that the LRC is functioning but providing little opportunity for learner leadership development. The most significant challenge relates to traditional and outdated views of leadership on the parts of teachers and education managers. Hence, in addition to a number of practical recommendations, the study recommends a change of mindset towards children so that opportunities are provided to contribute to their growth and development.
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- Authors: Uushona, Andreas Bishi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies , Student participation in administration -- Namibia -- Case studies , School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies , Student government -- Namibia , Education, Secondary -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1395 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001749
- Description: Learner leadership is a worldwide issue in educational leadership and management. In preindependent Namibia secondary schools had the prefect system and the SRCs as learner leadership bodies which had little influence on schools’ decisions because they lacked credibility. In 2001 the Learners’ Representative Council (LRC) was legitimized as a learner leadership body in secondary schools through the Education Act 16 of 2001. However, recent research suggests that even these bodies are not functioning effectively for a variety of reasons. This prompted me to undertake research to develop an understanding of learners’ participation in leadership in a senior secondary school in Namibia. I used a qualitative case study, in an interpretive paradigm, in an attempt to achieve my research goal. The following questions guided the study: How is leadership understood by members of the organization? How learner leadership is understood? How are learners involved in leadership in the school? What potential exists for increased learners’ participation? What factors inhibit learners’ participation in leadership in the school? A population comprising of the school board chairperson, the principal, three heads of department, the superintendent, three teachers and five learners was composed from a senior secondary school in Namibia. Data were collected through focus groups, interviews, document analysis and observation and analyzed thematically for reflective discussion. The findings revealed that the LRC is functioning but providing little opportunity for learner leadership development. The most significant challenge relates to traditional and outdated views of leadership on the parts of teachers and education managers. Hence, in addition to a number of practical recommendations, the study recommends a change of mindset towards children so that opportunities are provided to contribute to their growth and development.
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