Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Management and Leadership

Purpose

The Postgraduate-Diploma in Educational Management and Leadership is a two-year programme that seeks to develop capacity in management and leadership in education. The focus of this diploma is to improve the practice of management and leadership in the education sector. It is directed towards persons who hold or are aspiring to hold management responsibilities within educational institutions.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Management and Leadership enables learners with an education background to develop integrated functional and reflective competences in educational management by examining issues such as the principles of management, the management process, educational governance, accounting and financial management, marketing and human resource management in education.

Rationale

The Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Management and Leadership enables learners with an education background to develop integrated functional and reflective competences in educational management by examining issues such as the principles of management, the management process, educational governance, accounting and financial management, marketing and human resource management in education.

Thus the focus of this diploma is to improve the practice of management and leadership in the education sector. It is directed towards persons who hold or are aspiring to hold management responsibilities within educational institutions.

• The learner is proficient in the language of instruction.
• The learner is able to conduct research.
• The learner is able to work independently.
• The learner has obtained the general theoretical, practical, professional and academic knowledge and understanding at NQF Level 6.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Admission to this programme may be obtained through the recognition of prior learning. Candidates who do not qualify for admission in terms of the minimum admission criteria may be considered for admission through a process of Recognition of Prior Learning in keeping with the RBS RPL policy.

Access to the Qualification

The minimum entrance requirement to the Post-Graduate Diploma in Educational Management and Leadership are as follows

• A Bachelors Degree or a recognised teaching Qualification, or equivalent.

or

• A Honours degree, or equivalent.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Management and Leadership is a 240 credit qualification at NQF level 7.

Level; Module; Title; Credits; Fundamental; Core

Fundamental

• Management Principles; NQF Level 7; 30 Credits.
• Using Information Technology; NQF Level 7; 30 Credits.
• Research Methods; NQF Level 7; 10 Credits.
• Leadership in Education; NQF Level 7; 40 Credits.
• Governance in Education; NQF Level 7; 40 Credits.
• Financial Decision Making in Educational Management; NQF Level 7; 30 Credits.
• Educational Marketing and Fundraising; NQF Level 7; 30 Credits.
• Project; NQF Level 7; 30 Credits.

Total: 240 Credits; 70 Fundamental; 170 Core.

The minimum duration of the programme is 2 years. Students attempt 2 modules per semester; the Research Methods and the Project module is attempted in the second year.

An award of the Regent Business School (RBS) will be conferred when the following conditions are satisfied

• The candidate was bona-fide registered student of RBS for the Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Management and Leadership programme.
• Details of the candidate's full name, date of birth, gender, programme and award have been registered by RBS.
• It has been confirmed that the candidate has completed the Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Management and Leadership programme of study.
• The award is approved by the Examinations Board.

Overall Exit Level Outcomes

A learner attaining the Post-Graduate Diploma in Educational Management and Leadership will be able to

• Acquire the academic and professional knowledge required for leadership in educational institutions.
• Provide leadership in an educational context.
• Apply management principles in an educational context.
• Develop marketing strategies for educational institutions.
• Administer financial resources in an educational institution.
• Administer human resources in an educational institution.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the functioning of educational institutions.
• Evaluate the provisions of relevant legislation.
• Apply the provisions of relevant legislation.
• Develop fundraising strategies for educational institutions.

Specific Level Outcomes (for each Module)

Management Principles: (Credits 30).

At the end this module, a learner will be able to

• Explain the four basic functions of managers.
• Evaluate selected management theories and concepts.
• Describe the context in which school managers operate.
• Explain the historical context of management.
• Describe the strategic importance of human resource management.
• Explain the role of parents in the school organisation.
• Identify ways to improve parental involvement.

Using Information Technology: (Credits 30).

At the end this module, a learner will be able to

• Summarise the Revolution in Computers and Communications.
• Discuss the Ethics of copying software.
• Identify the functions of word processors, spreadsheets, database managers, graphic programmes, communications programmes, desktop accessories, groupware and Internet Web browsers.
• Explain systems software, operating systems.
• Identify and describe the major types of computer systems.
• Distinguish and describe input and output devices.
• Identify and explain communication channels.
• Explain the importance of database in an Educational Sector.
• Discuss the different Management Systems.

Leadership in Education: (Credits 40).

At the end of this module learners will be able to

• Identify the key features of leading as a management task.
• Describe the context in which school leaders operate.
• Explain the relationship between leadership and effective management.
• Describe the factors contributing to personal motivation.
• Distinguish between motivators and de-motivators.
• Describe strategies for improving staff morale.
• Develop a Staff Development programme.
• Evaluate a Staff Development programme.
• Outline features of conflict and change management.
• Utilise conflict and change management skills in a dynamic context.

Governance in Education

• Credits 40.

At the end of the module learners will be able to

• Describe the relevant legal regulations governing education.
• Explain the implications of the regulations governing education.
• Apply the provisions of the South African Schools Act.
• Place education legislation, regulations and circulars in context.
• Distinguish between primary parliamentary and subordinate legislation.
• Formulate Admission, Language and Religious policies for schools.
• Evaluate Admission, Language and Religious policies for schools.
• Draw up the Discipline Policy and Code of Conduct for schools.
• State the Rights of Learners.
• Describe the procedures of a Disciplinary Hearing.
• Distinguish between Governance and Management.
• Differentiate between the role of the SGB and the Principal.

Financial Decision Making in Educational Management: (Credits 30).

At the end of this module learners will be able to

• Explain the basic concepts in financial management.
• Draw up a budget for an educational institution.
• Apply budgeting principles in the financial management of a school.
• Plan, organise, control and report on school finances.
• Contextualise the legality of Financial Management.
• Implement financial controls.

Educational Marketing and Fundraising: (Credits 30).

At the end of this module learners will be able to

• Identify the key elements of the marketing plan of a school.
• Describe the ways of conducting a market audit for a school.
• Identify the variables of a marketing strategy.
• Evaluate the implications of marketing for educational managers.
• Develop fundraising strategies and plans.

Research Methods: (Credits 10).

At the end of this module learners will be able to

• Draw up a research proposal.

Project: (Credits 30).

At the end of this module learners will be able to

• Produce an appropriate researched project plan.
• Apply selected research techniques.
• Collect data from various sources.
• Critically evaluate, and draw from, the research of others.
• Present a mini Dissertation of limited scope.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Overall Exit Level Outcomes

The assessment of students' responses to questions in the assignments and examinations provide the assessors with an indication as to whether students are able to:

• Apply communicative and numerical skills as lifelong learners and researchers.
• Competently plan, design and reflect on the areas of educational management.
• Read academic and professional texts critically.
• Apply the skills of rational argument, judgement, planning and decision-making analysis to complex educational management problems.
• Recognise and respond effectively to social, economic, technological and political change within educational organisations in their national and international settings.
• To produce and present clear educational plans and reports.
• Critically evaluate the educational plans and reports.
• Analyze, interpret and make decisions from data contained in the financial statements of educational institutions.

The Research Methods module will be assessed by the submission of a research proposal.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Specific Level Outcomes (for each Module)

The final mark for each module is derived from an assignment and a formal three-hour written examination. The final mark for each module is then computed by taking a weighted average of 40% of the assignment mark and 60% of the examination mark. The student must obtain a sub-minimum of 40% in the written examination.

Assessed by research proposal submitted by the learners.

Assessed by a mini Dissertation.

Integrated assessment

The assessment of students' responses to questions in the assignments and examinations provide the assessors with an indication as to whether students are able to:

• Apply communicative and numerical skills as lifelong learners and researchers.
• Competently plan, design and reflect on the areas of business management.
• Read academic and professional texts critically.
• Apply the skills of rational argument, judgement, planning, and decision-making.
• analysis to complex business management problems.
• Recognise and respond effectively to social, economic, technological and political change within organisations in their national and international settings.
• Produce and present clear business plans and reports.
• Evaluate the business plans and reports.
• Analyze, interpret and make decisions from data contained in the financial statements of educational institutions.