Occupational Certificate: School Principal (School Manager)

The Occupational Certificate: School Principal (School Manager) has been designed to develop the much needed applied competencies (knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and practices) which gives effect to the Standards for Principalship. A qualification that will focus on developing and assessing principals in real contexts is vital to ensuring that they acquire real skills and capabilities to lead and sustain the major changes required in schools. There have been many changes introduced to schools including curriculum and Information and Communications Technology (ICT), all of these have targeted educators and not management. In the South African context, there are far too many schools that are not meeting even the minimum requirements for learner
attainment. There is growing evidence of school dysfunctionality which requires improved management and leadership as important for school reform. South Africa needs highly qualified principals who can create not only an environment for effective teaching and learning, but also who can promote the school in the community as an institution of learning excellence. Most existing school management and education development programmes are workshops, short courses, or qualifications based on academic achievement with very little opportunity for practice and almost no on-site learning. This qualification will provide an opportunity for learners to acquire workbased learning and enhanced professionalism. The latter is vital for school management and leadership resulting in improved teaching and learning to meet the current learning challenges in the ever-changing environment. The scope of this qualification is intended for current and aspiring principals. It also seeks to increase qualifying learners with employment prospects within the education sector at school, district, provincial and national levels.

SACE ENDORSED ACTIVITY: 50 CPTD Points (Type 3)