Effects of Conflicts of Interest on the Appointment of Principals: Perceptions on the Quality of Leadership in the Vhuronga I Circuit, Vhembe East District, Limpopo Province
This study aimed to determine the effects of conflicts of interest on the appointment of school principals. Specifically, it sought to find out teachers’ views regarding the extent to which conflicts of interest affect the appointment of quality school principals; to determine teachers’ perceptions regarding the impact of the appointment of poor-quality school principals on the delivery of effective teaching and learning at schools; and to recommend strategies that would help educational authorities eliminate conflicts of interest from appointment processes for school principals. The explanatory mixed-method research design was employed. The population comprised teachers, principals, School Governing Body (SGB) members, and union leaders from secondary schools in the Vhuronga 1 Circuit. Simple random sampling was used for the quantitative phase of the study, and the purposive sampling method was used for the qualitative phase of the study. A questionnaire was used to collect data for the quantitative phase of the study, and an interview schedule was used to collect data for the qualitative phase of the study. The data from the questionnaires was analysed using a computer programme called Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Data reduction and data display were used to analyse the qualitative data. Data from the qualitative phase was used to explain, refine or extend the results from the quantitative phase. Thereafter, both quantitative and qualitative data were integrated into a coherent whole. The study found that conflicts of interest exist in the appointment processes for principals and that the appointment of poor-quality principals compromised the achievement of school outcomes, thereby negating the delivery of quality education to learners. Recommendations were made to all important stakeholders in the appointment process to help eliminate the conflicts of interest.
School Management and Leadership, Conflict of Interest, Nepotism, Patronage, Corruption, UCTD
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