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read fluently in the school’s instructional language. In addition, Bush et al (2009) reported that in South African schools, there is very limited research and literature on managing and leading, teaching and learning and that there are schools that are
‘unable or unwilling to promote team-work within their learning areas’. Being a Deputy Principal of a primary school, on a daily basis I am exposed to challenges and possibilities associated with a team-based approach to leading and managing. Hence, my motivation for conducting this educational research.
Furthermore, I wish to reassure you of the following:
• Participants will not be revealed in the report writing, nor will it be revealed in the dissemination of the findings of the research.
• Participation will be voluntary.
• The institution will not be identifiable by name in the research results.
• Confidentiality and privacy will be maintained at all times
• The school may withdraw from the study if it wishes to do so at any time.
• The research will not be conducted during contact time.
My supervisor is Dr Inba Naicker, a lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood Campus.
I, hereby humbly request permission to conduct the above mentioned research study in one primary school in the Ilembe District. A sample of educators will be
interviewed from the selected school.
I thank you in advance for your support and co-operation.
Yours faithfully
P. GOVENDER
81
APPENDIX B: LETTER TO THE PRINCIPAL/GOVERNING BODY LETTER FOR PERMISSION TO CONDUCT RESEARCH 5 Dove Place Phone: 032- 9444385
Flamingo Heights Cell: 083 78 24385 TONGAAT School: 032- 9471246
4399 e-Mail: Juliangovender The Principal/Chairperson of School Governing Body
APPROVAL TO CONDUCT RESEARCH – MR P. GOVENDER
Kindly be informed that I am currently completing my Masters of Education Degree (MEd) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Edgewood Campus). My topic for research is:
A team-based approach to leading and managing a rural primary school.
School leadership and management in South Africa have undergone significant changes in the post-apartheid era. Changes in legislation, availability of resources, demographics, development of new technology, new funding arrangements, new labour relations and the introduction of a new outcomes-based curriculum has been some of the significant happenings in education. As a result of changes in terms of democratisation of education, managers of schools are increasingly being held accountable for schools performance. Hence, a growing concern is the persistent poor performance of South African students not only on national tests (Christie, 2008) but also on international tests such as Trends in International Maths and Science Study (TIMSS) where South Africa has twice come last out of all the African countries that participated (Scott, 2011, p. 2). Furthermore, Bush, Joubert, Kiggundu and Rooyen (2009) noted that majority (70-80%) of primary school children from rural disadvantaged schools ‘are completing their primary education without being able to read fluently in the school’s instructional language. In addition, Bush et al (2009) reported that in South African schools, there is very limited research and literature on managing and leading, teaching and learning and that there are schools that are
‘unable or unwilling to promote team-work within their learning areas’. Being a Deputy Principal of a primary school, on a daily basis I am exposed to challenges and possibilities associated with a team-based approach to leading and managing. Hence, my motivation for conducting this educational research.
82
Furthermore, I wish to reassure you of the following:
• No participant will be identifiable in any way from the research results.
• Participation will be voluntary.
• The institution will not be identifiable by name in the research results.
• A synopsis of the most important findings will be forwarded to your school, upon your request.
• The school may withdraw from the study if it wishes to do so at any time.
• The research will not be conducted during contact time.
I would like to conduct the research as from August to September 2011.
Should you have any concern about this study, please contact my supervisor, Dr Inba Naicker, a lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood Campus.
I thank you in advance for your support and co-operation.
Yours faithfully
P. GOVENDER (Student – 208524830)
REPLY SLIP FOR ATTENTION: Mr P. Govender
c/o Primary School
RE: PERMISSION TO CARRY OUT EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH (MEd) I ___________________________________ (Principal of _________ Primary) hereby, give permission to Poovalingum Govender to carry out the educational research at ____________ Primary School.
Yours faithfully
--- --- P R I N C I P A L D A T E
SCHOOL STAMP
83 APPENDIX C: INFORMED CONSENT
LETTER OF INFORMED CONSENT: BY EDUCATOR 5 Dove Place Phone: 032- 9444385 Flamingo Heights Cell: 083 78 24385 TONGAAT School: 032- 9471246
4399 e-Mail: Juliangovender FOR ATTENTION: ________________________ [Participant]
c/o ______________ Primary School
CONSENT TO CONDUCT RESEARCH – MR P. GOVENDER
Kindly be informed that I am currently completing my Masters of Education Degree (MEd) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Edgewood Campus). My topic for research is:
A team-based approach to leading and managing a rural primary school.
School leadership and management in South Africa have undergone significant changes in the post-apartheid era. Changes in legislation, availability of resources, demographics, development of new technology, new funding arrangements, new labour relations and the introduction of a new outcomes-based curriculum has been some of the significant happenings in education. As a result of changes in terms of democratisation of education, managers of schools are increasingly being held accountable for schools performance. Hence, a growing concern is the persistent poor performance of South African students not only on national tests (Christie, 2008) but also on international tests such as Trends in International Maths and Science Study (TIMSS) where South Africa has twice come last out of all the African countries that participated (Scott, 2011, p. 2). Furthermore, Bush, Joubert, Kiggundu and Rooyen (2009) noted that majority (70-80%) of primary school children from rural disadvantaged schools ‘are completing their primary education without being able to read fluently in the school’s instructional language. In addition, Bush et al (2009) reported that in South African schools, there is very limited research and literature on managing and leading, teaching and learning and that there are schools that are
‘unable or unwilling to promote team-work within their learning areas’. Being a Deputy Principal of a primary school, on a daily basis I am exposed to challenges and
84
possibilities associated with a team-based approach to leading and managing. Hence, my motivation for conducting this educational research.
Furthermore, I wish to reassure you of the following:
• Your participation will not be revealed in the report writing, nor will it be revealed in the dissemination of the findings of the research
• Participation will be voluntary.
• The institution will not be identifiable by name in the research results.
• You may withdraw from the study if you wish to do so at any time.
• The research will not be conducted during contact time.
You are humbly requested to participate in this research project.
I thank you in advance for your support and co-operation.
Yours faithfully