A critical examination of the recruitment processes of the South African principals from Rawls perspective: A conceptual argument

• Main Author: Shuti Steph Khumalo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2021-01-01
• Series: Cogent Social Sciences
• Subjects: school leadership; principals; recruitment; social justice; procedural justice; rawlsian perspective
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2021.1918879

School leadership plays a fundamental role in promoting educational outcomes. The success of every school rests squarely on the shoulders of its leader, namely the principal. The main objectives of this study were firstly to examine the allegations surrounding the recruitment processes of principals in South African schools, particularly the selling of posts, further, this study also explored the different functions of role players in these processes and finally, the challenges faced in the recruitment and appointment of principals processes. Using the final report the department of Basic Education (DBE) of 2016 on the investigation of the selling of posts, chapter two of the South African Bill of Rights on equality and fairness and drawing from Rawls theory of social justice as a conceptual tool and the researchers’ personal experience as a teacher and a participant over a number of years in these recruitment processes, it can be argued that the processes of recruiting school principals in the South African education system are in direct violation of the principles of fair equality of opportunity, procedural justice, and the Bill of Rights and subsequently promote unfair and unjust practices. This conclusion is demonstrated by the findings that indicated that there is evidence suggesting that posts for principals are commercialized. Furthermore, data reveal that the processes of the recruitment and the appointment of principals face unprecedented challenges.