Bachelor of Education Honours in Educational Management and Leadership

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Education Honours in Educational Management and Leadership is to consolidate and deepen the learner's expertise in the discipline of educational management and leadership. The qualification will also develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques of educational research. The qualification demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence from the learner.

The themes covered by the proposed qualification, enabling learners to become proficient educational managers, include the fields of educational law, school culture, and the management of financial and human resources. Management and leadership theory and the application thereof as well as learning and teaching in theory and practice are also covered.

Learners will be challenged to develop a commitment toward social justice, with an emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving and responsiveness to educational management challenges. They will be guided to display appropriate values including respect for, tolerance and patience towards diverse viewpoints as well as positive Christian and professional ethics in their leadership conduct.

A sense of personal, social and community responsibility will be fostered in and among learners by encouraging involvement (as an individual and as a member of a team) in community and public service, enabling them to develop sensitivity towards these matters and particularly towards the challenges and opportunities inherent in management within the educational sector. Learners will be led to display leadership and become agents of change to deliver positive contributions to the general well-being of the communities in which they live and work.

Upon completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of the philosophy of education and teaching and learning from a Christian perspective.
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of, engagement in, and the ability to apply educational management and leadership theories, tasks, techniques, and skills in a school context.
• Illustrate insight into the factors that impact a school's culture, and the ability to build a school culture conducive to learning.
• Conduct research and report critically and analytically on the findings and recommendations.
• Demonstrate competence in legislation, legal precedents and professional and ethical standards affecting basic education in South Africa.
• Demonstrate an informed understanding of the theory and practice of the management of the financial and human resources of a school.

Rationale

According to the Quality Management System (QMS) for School-Based Educators, principals are responsible for ensuring the uniform and effective implementation of the QMS at a particular institution. The Policy on the South African Standard for Principalship, in line with the South African Schools Act, states that embedded in the principal's management and leadership of the school are core societal, educational, and professional values that are reflected in the manner in which matters pertaining to the curriculum and human resources are dealt with.

Research has shown that educational leaders (not only principals) in South Africa and worldwide need to be adequately prepared for the role of management and leadership within the sector. The 21st century has brought with it new challenges and demands to educational or school leaders at all levels. For principals and persons tasked with management within the educational sector to effectively carry out their duties, they need to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to do so. The qualification aims to equip leaders in education with the knowledge and skills required to perform their duties.

The proposed qualification aims to equip learners with theoretical knowledge understanding, and research skills, to manage all relevant administrative processes and provide effective and skilful leadership within the education sector. This qualification will enable learners to identify and address the diverse opportunities and challenges of the South African educational sector, as well as the unique circumstances of individual institutions.

With the understanding of an integrated and collaborative approach to management and leadership, as well as knowledge and awareness of relevant educational policy, legislation and material and human resources management, the qualification provides different perspectives regarding the management of various resources available within a particular educational institution. The ability to manage the various resources within a given environment and provide effective leadership ensures that not only does the educational system function optimally, but learner-to-learner learning is improved, and educational outcomes attained.

The qualification also contains a research component that adds to the national and international body of knowledge in this field and assists learners in accessing further post-learner opportunities, such as a master's degree in education as well as a doctoral degree in education. It is hoped that these qualifications will be part of the offerings of the institution in the future.

Through the introduction of this qualification quality educational managers in the basic education sector in South Africa will be produced. The qualification can contribute to enhancing the performance of individual managers and the basic education sector as a whole, thereby ultimately producing benefits for South African society and the economy.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 122 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 8, totalling 122 Credits.

• Introduction to Educational Research, 10 Credits.
• Educational Management, 10 Credits.
• Educational Leadership, 10 Credits.
• Teaching and Learning in Theory and Practice, 10 Credits.
• Educational Research, 32 Credits.
• Philosophy of Education, 10 Credits.
• Human Resources Management, 10 Credits.
• Managing School Culture, 10 Credits.
• Educational Law: Theory and Practice, 10 Credits.
• Financial Management, 10 Credits.

Exit Level Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of the philosophy of education and teaching and learning from a Christian perspective.
2. Engage in, and apply educational management and leadership theories, tasks, techniques, and skills in a school context.
3. Demonstrate insight into the factors that impact a school's culture, and the ability to build a school culture conducive to learning.
4. Conduct research and report critically and analytically on the findings and recommendations.
5. Demonstrate competence in legislation, legal precedents and professional and ethical standards affecting basic education in South Africa.
6. Demonstrate an informed understanding of the theory and practice of the management of the financial and human resources of a school.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1.

• Identify and apply opportunities where Christian norms and Biblical principles can be applied to enrich a norm-driven practice of education.
• Provide instructional leadership based on an in-depth knowledge of teaching and learning theory and practice.
• Apply a critical understanding of the philosophy of education and its importance in a school context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2.

• Provide insight into education management theory as the basis of effective management practices in schools.
• Interrogate multiple sources of knowledge regarding management issues/tasks such as decision-making, delegation, problem-solving and policy-making.
• Apply a range of specialised skills to identify, analyse and address complex problems regarding school management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3.

• Implement a theory into practice by cultivating a school culture that is conducive to learning.
• Apply an integrated understanding of the management practices required to improve the culture of the modern school.
• Provide effective leadership to ensure that the educational system functions optimally.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4.

• Explain the methodology of qualitative and quantitative research for the educational context.
• Design, execution, and reporting of a research study using an effective research methodology.
• Suggest improvements in educational contexts and thus make a significant contribution to the knowledge of a research problem and share with colleagues in the field of Educational Management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5.

• Apply an integrated understanding of national education law and conventions, legal precedents, and ethics.
• Apply legal considerations and good practice to school management issues.
• Analyse ethical dilemmas in the schooling context and indicate that decisions and actions taken in dealing with ethical dilemmas are justified.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6.

• Implement/interpret the theory and practice in terms of the management of the financial and human resources of a school.
• Apply insight into dealing with staff issues related to professional ethics, equity, and diversity.
• Apply knowledge of and insight into the various functional areas of human resource management in a school context, including recruitment and retention of staff, staff development, accountability, and performance management, as well as employee and labour relations.
• Apply knowledge of sound financial management principles in a school context.