Leadership as a variable for promoting principals in KwaZulu and the Department of Education and Training
The object of this study is to determine the role played by leadership in the promotion of principals in the departments of education. In the statement of the problem it was suggested that in the promotion of principals, the officials of the Department of Education in KwaZulu and in the Department of Education and Training should consider the following aspects: the acquisition of academic and professional qualifications, experience, as well as leadership qualities. A distinction is drawn between a manager and a leader. Leaders influence the activities of their subordinates towards realising desired goals. A comparison is made between Yukl's (1970) leadership dimension (consideration, initiating structure, decision centralization), Lewin's (1944) theoretical typology (authoritarian, democratic, laissez faire) and Lambert and Lambert's (1964) organizational shapes (pyramid and circle organizational structures). Communication, Innovation and measurement by objectives were discussed as some of the vital skills of leadership. It was emphasized that they should be acquired by a prospective principal. In this study the questionnaire was used as a research tool. The questionnaire saves time and money. The researcher took advantage of a "Convenience sampling" and administered his questionnaires. It was decided, through empirical investigation, that leadership is a vital prerequisite for the promotion of school principals.
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