An analysis of staff development in the Lejweleputswa area

Abstract

Staff development may be necessary in order to improve the performance of educators and the quality of learning of learners. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the current state of staff development in secondary schools. The study sought to examine the kind of programmes, methods and procedures used in carrying out and improving the development of educators and make recommendations on how staff development could possibly be executed in secondary schools. The qualitative research approach is used in this study as it seeks to represent reality from the perspective of the respondent, without interfering with or biasing that perspective, in their own words and using their own concepts. The findings of this study reveal that most secondary schools do not have a policy for staff development and that there are not enough opportunities for the development of staff in those schools. It was also found that staff development is not evaluated in schools, even in those schools that do offer some opportunities. This indicates that staff development is not given enough priority in most schools. It is recommended that a policy for staff development be formulated and that those in management should know how staff development should be planned, organised, implemented and evaluated in secondary schools. Relevant staff development activities should therefore be designed in these schools in order to enhance the knowledge, skills and attitudes of educators so that they may, in turn, improve the learning of learners.