6.3.1 Duties of HODs
It is recommended that HODs must plan, organise, coordinate, control and monitor the implemented scope coverage by consulting ATP, which stipulates the dates, topics and content for prescribed syllabus for every subject taught in the school. They also need to ensure that assessment programmes are up to standard, ensuring the quality of education and intended outcome. It is further recommended that HODs maintain the quality of teaching and learning through evaluation of learners’ exercise books, learners’ profiles, together with the teachers’
files and assessment profiles, so as to ensure that ATP is being implemented and support teachers were necessary.
6.3.2 Transition from being a teacher to the HOD position
It is recommended that HODs must be able to motivate and mentor teachers to perform to their maximum. They also need to evaluate curriculum documents as stipulated by ATP, while also making sure that teachers do honour their periods in order for teaching and learning to be effective. It is recommended that acting or volunteering as subject heads equips teachers to prepare themselves for the HOD position.
6.3.3 Multiple-tasking of HODs in curriculum management
Lack of subject knowledge had an impact on curriculum delivery hence, teachers need support and mentorship and also need to be encouraged to develop their skills and knowledge so that they will be intricate to the subject they are teaching. They should also rely on the DoE for resources so that they can perform their duties effectively.
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There were different views about induction, which the participants said it was only offered to under-performing schools. However, when the school in question underperformed in 2016, the DoE organised workshops to assist HODs with human resources and curriculum management.
It is therefore recommended that induction takes place all the time, to equip HODs with the skills and knowledge related to curriculum management.
6.3.3.2 Programmes in place to enable HODs
The DoE should continue working with “Jikimfundo” in order to enhance skills and knowledge for curriculum management through training and development for all schools. Also, Education Labour Relations Council should provide seminars and workshops related to labour issues and legislative matters. Labour Relations Act and the South African Schools Act empower HODs on serious and less serious acts of misconduct. It is further recommended that strategies that can be developed to improve HODs training to effectively handle curriculum management matters and suggestions stated that each department must conduct departmental meetings and collaboratively draw up their own policies, over and above the ones required by the DoE.
6.3.3.3 Essential skills and knowledge
It is recommended that HODs should be able to understand and interpret DoE policies. The monitoring skills for scope coverage are also essential, strong management skills and leadership skills are also important because they need to manage time and plan for curriculum matters, as well as being accountable for every responsibility assigned to them.
6.3.4 Effective leadership
It is recommended that HODs need to have integrity and be knowledgeable about their roles so that the employees under their supervision trust them. An effective leader gives employees an opportunity to share ideas for common goals through delegation. It develops strong teams, reduce wasted time, strengthen support and reduce work load for individual HOD.
Furthermore, an effective leader is open to change and encourages fellow employees to adapt to the changes in the manner that would improve learner performance and quality of education.
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6.3.4.1 Leadership skills to address curriculum management
It is recommended that HODs need not to wait for DoE to train them, instead they should enrol themselves with private institutions so that they can enhance their leadership skills. They need to adopt technical skills so that they can be able to be proficient.
6.3.4.2 Responses relating to challenges
It is recommended that they first need to identify the challenge and invite the people affected in a meeting, either a departmental staff meeting or one-on-one meeting. The HOD may propose or suggest a solution and monitor the situation. However, if that does not work, he/she may refer the matter to senior management and or consult other stakeholders such as other HODs within or outside school. They can even consult subject advisors from district offices for support.
It is recommended that HODs need to have technical, conceptual and human skills, where necessary, for constructive leadership role because it requires one to have knowledge and be capable to lead. They also need people skills in order to understand other people’s behaviour and able to motivate them so that they can cope with the environment. Therefore, the DoE needs to provide a robust training to enhance curriculum leadership capabilities so that they can deal with curriculum matters. Moreover, the DoE must ensure that training and development programmes should continue for future generations.
6.3.4.3 Expected management and support
It is recommended that HODs need their private offices in order to work effectively, as the sharing of space with junior employees might affect their performance. This sitting arrangement might have a great impact in the sense that they are unable to critically discuss matters of their department privately without everyone hearing the conversations.
6.3.5 Recommendations to enhance curriculum management
It is recommended that HODs should attend workshops in order to enhance curriculum management. For that reason, they can easily adapt to change and fully implement curriculum management. They need to consult more often, need to continue visiting classes, sharing lessons and identifying teachers with challenges so that they can assist and mentor them.
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