The Principals Management Development Programme (PMDP) was specifically designed to assist school principals to enhance their management skills so as to be able to run their schools more effectively.
It’s prime focus was on the development of core management competencies as well as producing school specific outcomes. In addition, it aimed to strengthen the working relationships between the three important layers in the functioning of a school, viz: The Ward Manager, Principal and School Management Team (SMT). It also developed the Coaching Skills of the participating Ward Managers and started the development of learning communities amongst the participating principals.
The Pilot Programme involved 50 Principals and 6 Ward Managers from the Illembe, Vryheid and Othukela Districts.
The following modules were focused on: (1) School Direction & Planning; (2) School Governance; (3) Curriculum Management; (4) Resource Acquisition & Management; (5) Financial Management and (6) People Management.
The trainimg and coaching was undertaken by a team of specialists drawn from UKZN, PricewaterhouseCoppers (PWC), and Performance Solutions Africa (PSA) – the latter being overall project managers.
The project was funded, in almost equal proportions, by the J&J Education Trust, The Development Bank of SA and the DoE.
The programme concluded with an award ceremony held at UKZN (PMB) on the 10th December 2009. The MEC for Education, the Honourable Mr ES Mchunu was the guest speaker at the function.
Given the success of the pilot it was announced, at the award ceremony, that the programme would roll out in 2010.
98% of the principals met the programme requirements for accreditation and received their certificates. This pass rate exceeded the 75% target which was set at the start of the project.
In addition, the programme ensured that a standardised literacy & numeracy assessment was conducted in each of the particpating primary schools. The project met all its timelines and quality standards.
The following are a selection of comments on the project.
“I was impressed with the manner in which the course was facilitated as well as the course content. It was very practicl hands on.” Mr Funda Zwane (DCES) – Head Office
“The project is a good tool to alert our school managers about the crticial skills required to manage effectively. We like the site visits where mentoring is done at school…” Ms Zonke Cele & Ms Mzamo Mhlambi (EHRD)
“The programme has provided tools for me to coach and support those who are not in the project. I could draw on the provided material as it is very user friendly. I have encouraged the principals not involved to network with those who are. These principals want to be involved. The PMDP programme is supporting the direction in which the DoE is wanting to go.” Mr Vincent Nkabinde – Ward Manager (Othukela District)
“The PMDP has assisted me to develop and grow as a Principal. I now have the management tools to manage my school more effectively and efficiently.” Mr SE Mkhathini (Oqaqeni Primary)
“The PMDP was not just ‘one of those’ programmes. It was very empowering.” Ms NL Ndlovu (Mathabatha Primary)