SDC Members’ Perceptions on the Effectiveness of ODL Degreed Primary School Head Teachers in Managerial Leadership in Chipinge District, Zimbabwe

The decentralisation of the education system in Zimbabwe led to the empowerment of School Development Committees (SDCs in the running of school affairs. The study aimed at generating data on the perceptions of SDC members concerning the effectiveness of ODL degreed head teachers in leading and managing primary schools in Chipinge District. The study was qualitative and was guided by constructivism philosophy.  A case study research design was considered as most appropriate for a holistic and in-depth investigation. A sample of twenty-nine (29) participants was used comprising sixteen (16) SDC members of and thirteen (13) head teachers. Purposive sampling was used for easy access to accurate data. The researchers were the main tools in charge of semi-structured interview guides with open questions and an observation checklist. Explain data analysis technique some of the key findings were that SDC members preferred degreed head teachers as head teachers to non-degreed ones. They believed that degreed head teachers were good at mobilising resources for school development.  The study recommended that educational policies should support the operations of SDCs. Another recommendation was that ODL degree service providers should provide content and skills that would enable head teachers to offer quality guidance to SDC members.

The decentralisation of the education system in Zimbabwe led to the empowerment of School Development Committees (SDCs in the running of school affairs. The study aimed at generating data on the perceptions of SDC members concerning the effectiveness of ODL degreed head teachers in leading and managing primary schools in Chipinge District. The study was qualitative and was guided by constructivism philosophy.  A case study research design was considered as most appropriate for a holistic and in-depth investigation. A sample of twenty-nine (29) participants was used comprising sixteen (16) SDC members of and thirteen (13) head teachers. Purposive sampling was used for easy access to accurate data. The researchers were the main tools in charge of semi-structured interview guides with open questions and an observation checklist. Explain data analysis technique some of the key findings were that SDC members preferred degreed head teachers as head teachers to non-degreed ones. They believed that degreed head teachers were good at mobilising resources for school development.  The study recommended that educational policies should support the operations of SDCs. Another recommendation was that ODL degree service providers should provide content and skills that would enable head teachers to offer quality guidance to SDC members.