Managing curriculum change : a study of six secondary schools in Maseru, Lesotho

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences that the principals encounter when managing curriculum change at the secondary schools in the Maseru district. The study is qualitative in nature and employed a case study to investigate principals’ experiences with the LGCSE curriculum change. This study used Kotter’s theory of change management as a theoretical foundation for the analysis of the data. Semi-structured in-depth –interviews and non-participant observations were used to collect data. A total of six principals from urban and rural secondary schools were interviewed and observed. Content analysis was employed to analyse data in this study. The findings revealed that the secondary school principals in the Maseru district lack skills and knowledge to manage the LGCSE curriculum change. The findings showed that the majority of the principals were not thoroughly trained on how to manage and implement the LGCSE. The principals needed continuous support from the Ministry of Education and Training. There was also a need for relevant and adequate resources to support curriculum changes. This study revealed that most principals delegated the instructional roles to the Head of Departments and the deputy principals to manage lesson plans, selection of teaching and learning materials as well as monitoring lesson presentations. This study found that most principals concentrated on administrative roles. Team work and school based workshops were found to be the strategies that principals used to manage the LGCSE curriculum change.