Managing to Learn: Instructional Leadership in South African Secondary Schools

Focusing upon the importance of curriculum and instruction in South African secondary schools, this monograph emerges from concern over the changing role of the school principal and the core functions of the school. While principals are increasingly taking on a wide range of administrative and financial responsibilities, the primary concern still lies with their leadership of teaching and learning. Both internationally and locally, there is growing emphasis on the importance of effective school management in contributing to student achievement. The first study of its kind in South Africa, this survey considers a sample of 200 schools in two provinces. Through a series of regression analyses, it presents a variety of management factors identified across a wide range of schools, identifying the most crucial elements for the improved performance of students.