Postgraduate Diploma in Education Leadership and Management

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Education Management and Leadership is to strengthen and deepen the knowledge of working professional educators in education management and leadership. The qualification aim is to provide 'a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence' enabling 'working professional educators to involve themselves in advanced reflection and development by means of a systematic survey of current thinking, practice and research methods' in a specialisation or subfield of education.

Rationale

The qualification will provide and enables working professional educators to engage in advanced reflection and development. The qualification is designed to meet the specifications for working professional educators in education management and leadership.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL procedures are in place to facilitate access to learners who have related experience but do not meet the academic criteria. Learners who apply on the basis of RPL are required to submit a portfolio for assessment.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Education, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7, 480 Credits.

Or

• First Bachelor's Degree, NQF Level 7, 360 Credits plus Advanced Diploma in Teaching (or equivalent), NQF Level 7, 120 Credits.

Or

• A National Diploma, 360 Credits plus an Advanced Diploma in Education, NQF Level 7, 120.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits

• South African Education in Context, 30 Credits.
• Learning and Teaching, 30 Credits.
• Researching Practice in Education Management and Leadership, 30 Credits.
• Education Management and Leadership: Theory,Research,Practice, 30 Credits.

1. Understand contextual influences on education in South Africa.
2. Understand the theories and contextual issues related to learning and teaching as a core function of educational leadership and management in post-apartheid schools.
3. Understand the area of Education Management and Leadership at a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence. Understand and interpret texts within the specialism of Education Management and Leadership. Understand the ethical dimensions of issues facing professional educators.
4. Understand the theory and research methods of their specialism/field of Education Management and Leadership. Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information. Communicate effectively in the modes of oral/written presentation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Trace the historical developments that have shaped the current system of education provision in South Africa.
• Show familiarity with current debates on inequality in education, specifically in relation to class, race, gender and place, and analyse contextual influences on educational experiences and outcomes.
• Outline the post-apartheid policy framework and locate their own work within their sector (e.g. schooling, post-schooling, adult and community education, higher education).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Examine practical applications of learning theories.
• Use theory to construct understandings of cognitive change.
• Integrate theory and practice in addressing issues of teaching and learning.
• Understand and use the following concepts: assimilation, accommodation, mediation, Zone of Proximal Development, scaffolding, learning, operations, structures, stages of development and leading activities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate understanding of key concepts in leadership styles and managerial practices, including leadership in challenging circumstances and teacher leadership.
• Identify patterns of learner performance in South Africa, and identify ways in which management and leadership may support improvements in teaching and learning in schools.
• Conduct a needs analysis of a school by selecting a priority area/s to reflect on, and providing evidence suggest ways in which this issue/s may be resolved.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Identify different research approaches designed to reflect on and improve practice in education.
• Identify key issues and texts in education management and leadership research.
• Present a written critical analysis of published research in the field of education management and leadership.
• Carry out a needs-analysis and design for change in a particular priority area.

Integrated Assessment

• All assessment practices in the School of Education are actively informed by the Institutional Assessment Policy.
• Assessment is also conducted through written assignments. Topics are set by course convenors to align with the aims and content of the qualification. Assessment topics are designed to enable advanced reflection on research and practice.