TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF THEIR ROLE IN TRANSFORMING RURAL AND TONSHIP SCHOOLS: A DISTRIBUTED LEADERSHIP ANALYSIS

Abstract

Recent studies in South Africa suggest that the social, material and curricular transformation espoused in post-apartheid legislation and education policies do not always translate into implementation in schools. This article reports on a qualitative multi case study on transformative leadership in township schools and a follow up study in rural schools. The article is restricted to three rural and three township secondary schools regarding the question: how do teachers perceive and experience their role in school transformation. Semi-structured focus group interviews and phenomenological steps were the basis for data collection and analysis, respectively. Findings suggests that while teachers query their limited involvement in school transformation initiatives, and question the concentration of decision-making power regarding transformation issues on school management, they are equally reluctant to take additional non-teaching responsibilities. Perceived contextual barriers to teacher involvement in rural and township school transformation are outlined.

Keywords

• distributed leadership, transformation, teachers, South Africa

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