| Summary: | This study has focused on the concept of quality management in the
educational context and the role that Heads of Departments play, as part of
management in enhancing qualrty in schools.
Quality, nowadays, is at the top of most agendas and improving quality
probably the most challenging task facing institutions and the education
department. The Department of Education has however introduced policies,
like, Whole School Evaluation, Performance Management and Development
System and Developmental Appraisal, which are all consolidated into one
system, namely, the Integrated Quality Management system (IQMS). All these
are endeavours to address the quality issue in schools through evaluation.
The department also takes cognisance of the fact that at the core of quality is
good management.
The changes in the new dispensation, in terms of education has thus set new
parameters for management practices in schools. As a direct consequence of
these changes, for example, there was the introduction of the South African
Schools Act no. 84 of 1996 from which new structures for management
evolved. This evolution led to new roles and responsibilities for school
managers, the School Governing Body (SGB) and the proliferation of school
management teams (SMTs).
Because central to quality management in any organization is a well defined
structure with clear roles and responsibilities, this study focuses also on
middle management's contribution to ensure effectiveness in a school system.
The role of HODS, the context under which they function, factors that affect
their performance together with skills that they possess are examined order to
determine why delivery of quality service, in secondary schools in the
Klerksdorp Area is still a challenge. === Thesis (M. Ontwikkeling en Bestuur)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.
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