The role of college management towards effective educational leadership at Capricon TVET College in Polokwane, Limpopo Province

Abstract

Recent reforms in all South African Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges have put a lot of pressure on management to adapt how they do things. The college management is expected to transform its institutions to accommodate democratic values in different areas of operation. To achieve this process, the college management is supposed to transform from being administrative managers into transformative leaders. This process requires managers who should display effective leadership in the institution of higher learning. The study seeks to investigate the role of management towards realizing effective educational leadership at Capricorn TVET College in Polokwane Limpopo. The mixed research design was adopted, and research strategy adopted was case study. The study was conducted amongst four campuses and central office of Capricorn TVET College. In order to meet the study's objectives, a sample size of twenty (20) was determined, which included Managers and Curriculum managers. Data was collected from members of management at Capricorn TVET College using both questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found that the success of any organization depends largely on its top management to achieve its objectives. Management needs to control the entire organization through formulating strategic goals and objectives, policies and striking key decisions. Lack of training was identified as the key challenge hindering the effectiveness of the colleges as the current curriculum does not meet the needs of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Employees who receive regular training are more capable of performing their duties. Information sharing sessions and annual induction workshops were encouraged. It was recommended that the institution should ensure availability of adequate resources such as policies, processes, systems and capacity of staff. Effective collaboration of college and stakeholder and partners such as Department of Education, NSFAS need to be ensured as well as effective communication.