The influence of circuit managers on learner performance in a thriving rural district
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Date
Authors
Mthembu, Pinkie
Blose, Sibonelo
Mkhize, Bongani Nhlanhla
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Venda
Abstract
The responsibility of education districts across contexts is to deliver multidimensional
support towards teaching and learning. One of the dimensions
through which the support is transmitted is the circuit management subdirectorate,
which works closely with principals. Circuit managers are crucial
in supporting principals in effectively leading teaching and learning. However,
they have been overlooked in the literature. In this paper, we gaze at circuit
managers of a thriving rural district in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to
understand their influence on learner academic performance in schools. To
achieve this, we employed narrative inquiry, a qualitative methodology, to
engage narratively with the lived experiences of purposefully sampled two
circuit managers in a thriving district. Narrative ways of generating and
analysing data were used. The study revealed four essential practices circuit
managers exert to influence learner performance. These practices are
directing intervention initiatives to all grades while not losing sight of Grade 12,
direct involvement in monitoring learners’ work, exposing principals to learning
opportunities, and recognising and rewarding good performance. The
participating circuit managers appeared to arm principals under their
supervision with capacity and support so they could lead instruction in their
respective schools. We, therefore, conclude that the circuit managers adopted
an approach of working through and with principals to influence learner
performance in schools.
Description
Keywords
District leadership, Learner performance, Narrative inquiry, Teaching and learning, Thriving rural district, Circuit management, SDG-04: Quality education
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG-04:Quality Education
Citation
Mthembu, P., Blose, S. & Mkhize, B.N. 2024, 'The influence of circuit managers on learner performance in a thriving rural district', Journal of Educational Studies, vol. 2024, no. 3, pp. 107-124. https://DOI.org/10.59915/jes.2024.23.3.7.