Work Relationships Between School Development Committees And School Heads In The Performance Of Their Duties In Selected Zimbabwean Primary Schools
Volume 5 - Issue 7, July 2022 Edition
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Author(s)
John Tenha
Keywords
School Development Committee, work relationships, conflict, conflict management.
Abstract
Highly successful primary schools are usually defined by harmonious work relationships that obtain between school development committees and school heads. This is the ideal situation craved by many schools yet it does not happen that way. This led to this study which examined the degree to which work relationships between School Development Committees (SDCs) and school heads influence the performance of their duties in Goromonzi district in Mashonaland East Province in Zimbabwe. The qualitative research approach was employed in this study and the multi-case research design was used. Three primary schools were purposively selected, and from each of these schools the head, deputy head, SDC chairperson and the vice chairperson were selected to be the participants in this study. Semi-structured interviews, observations and document analysis were used to generate data. The responses by participants were audio-recorded then transcribed verbatim. These became the main data for analysis. The findings showed that school heads inducted SDC members on their functions at school following the Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture Statutory Instrument 87 [1] of 1992. It was found out that some SDC members come into office with preconceived ideas that could be detrimental to schools. Conflicts occur in schools and school heads dealt with these amicably to avoid disturbing the development of schools. Though differences in opinions occurred in schools between SDC chairpersons and school heads, it was found out that SDCs were crucial in the welfare of schools as they formed a crucial link between parents and schools. The study recommends ongoing training for SDC members on how to handle school issues. School heads also need training on conflict management.
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