The supportive role of the subject advisory section of the Education Department of Qwaqwa

Abstract

The Education Department of Qwaqwa attach great value to quality education. The Advisory Section was therefore established to improve the standard of education in Qwaqwa. Subject advisers of said section perform a dual role: rendering support to _Jeach·ers---aflEkdehvering managerial activities. This dual role implies that subject advisers operate on different levels and assume different roles while fulfilling their task of supporting and improving work of teachers. Subject advisers must therefore be thoroughly equipped for the task. Through qualitative research the managerial skills of subject advisers were assessed and the need for training as well as, aspirations and expectations of teachers in respect of support and ~c)vice were established. A need for in-service training of subject advisers was identified and a new set of criteria for the evaluation of subject advisers was formulated, because proper evaluation can serve to encourage improvement. A holistic approach for improving the te~ch ing situation in Qwaqwa which would encourage participation of all stakeholders in education is proposed by the researcher.