Investigation into the implementation of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) in the Zebediela area of the Limpopo Department of Education

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to investigate the implementation of a performance management system for educators, named by the Department of Education: the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS). The investigation took place in the Zebediela schools of the Limpopo province. The research study targeted members of the School Development Teams (SDT’S) and the Principals of the schools in their capacity as accounting officers. The investigation was done by identifying the possible factors influencing the implementation of the system and its impact on the teaching profession, the motivation/productivity of educators and the efficiency of service delivery. Appropriate recommendations were suggested to improve the implementation of the IQMS. The study obtained primary data through structured questionnaires, interviews and secondary sources. Questionnaires were administered to all the 77 schools in the Zebediela area and personal interviews were conducted with a minimum of 15% of the population (schools) in each circuit of the Zebediela area. Ethical considerations were adhered to and all responses were treated as confidential while the names of the respondents will not be published if this research is published. The collected data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) with the aid of a contingency table analysis. The findings suggest that the implementation of the Integrated Quality Management System in Zebediela area is very slow while numerous respondents were undecided as to whether there was really implementation in the schools or not. This research attributed this slackness to various factors ranging from insufficient training, uncoordinated activities, lack of commitment, a high workload for only a low salary increase percentage and the slow progression through the professional ranks. All these factors were leading too the low morale of the educators. Based on the findings it is recommended that the Department of Education as an employer should offer thorough training and development for educators, well coordinate activities, competitive salaries, proper job design and team work, favourable working conditions and a better promotional system. ii These interventions will contribute to an increase in the motivational levels of educators’ that will ultimately uplift the low morale of educators.