Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management

Purpose

This qualification is intended to develop an innovative, competent and reflective instructional leader within the field of Educational Leadership and Management. The qualification addresses instructional leadership characteristics that have the capacity and agency to bring significant change in the South African education system. The qualification seeks to assist teachers to:

• Apply leadership knowledge and practices that promote quality teaching and learning.
• Make decisions and take actions that are framed within the South African legal framework.
• Be aware of current educational debates and translate those into practice.
• Manage school resources.
• Act as change agents and have the ability to address context-specific challenges in the school system.

Rationale

The qualification addresses the need to develop leaders in the critical area of Educational Leadership and Management.

The demand for this qualification is made by stakeholders who feel the need to further their continuing professional development. The qualification will stand beside the Bachelor of Education Honours. The Postgraduate Diploma while it contains a small research component focuses on the practical application of theory whereas the BED Honours is more research and theory focused. This qualification fills the niche in further developing individuals who wish to improve their own practice and become instructional leaders and curriculum developers.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL will be applied in terms of the institutional policy on RPL which involves inter alia that an admissions committee be set up to consider individual cases to evaluate the portfolio of evidence outlining the knowledge, competences and skills at NQF Level 8 that the learner has attained in order to be successful in this qualification.

RPL may be used to grant advanced standing to learners through module exemptions.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entrance requirements are

• A Bachelor of Education, Level 7.

Or

• A general Bachelor's Degree plus a recognised professional Teacher qualification.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Modules

• Curriculum Studies, 12 Credits.
• Instructional Leadership, 12 Credits.
• Educational Law and Policy, 12 Credits.
• Theories of Leadership, 12 Credits.
• Resource Management, 12 Credits.
• Teacher Identities in Educational Contexts, 12 Credits.
• Relational Management, 12 Credits.
• Strategic Planning, Communities and Transformation, 12 Credits.
• Research Report in Educational Leadership and Management, 24 Credits.

1. Construct critically reflective and reflexive understandings of contemporary theories in Education in general, and in the field of Educational Leadership and Management, in particular.
2. Develop professional learning communities and display reflexive practices as the leader in a school context.
3. Employ specialised pedagogic knowledge in the field of educational leadership and management.
4. Conduct action research to inform leadership and management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Contemporary theories of education and of leadership and management are identified and discussed.
• The various theoretical models of leadership and their impact on leadership and management are assessed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Opportunities to work collectively in a community of practice are identified.
• Others are encouraged to work collectively in a community of practice.
• Interpersonal skills to lead and manage all people in the school community optimally are developed.
• Effective relationships for effective teaching and learning are promoted.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• An assessment of the impact of curriculum on society as a whole is provided.
• Curriculum evaluations that have taken place post 1994 South Africa are discussed.
• Various theoretical models which attempt to explain the curricula are constructed and assessed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• A research problem is identified.
• Relevant literature is consulted.
• A written report is produced.

Integrated Assessment

The qualification complies with the institutional Assessment Policy with a focus on assessment for and as learning in formative assessment and of learning in the summative component of the assessment.

Formative Assessments includes a range of assignments and activities that will be classroom or school-based which include team collaboration/communities of practice and the demonstration of leadership skills in the area of Educational Leadership and Management. Summative Assessments includes Final Exams and an action research based Research Report in Educational Leadership and Management.