Leadership styles employed by heads of departments at a TVET college in the Lejweleputswa District, Free State Province

Abstract

Heads of departments (HoDs) in TVET colleges perform a variety of tasks which include curriculum changes, conducting lecturer evaluation, recommending employment of new lecturers and staff, maintaining proper records about staff and students, organising departmental meetings and social gatherings, etc. Their responsibilities are also further compounded by some of the delegated duties from senior management of the college. In this regard, an HoD leadership style becomes an important factor that contributes to effective leadership of the department. Therefore, this study explores leadership styles exhibited by HoDs, as leaders in their own space in the TVET colleges. This qualitative study involved eight lecturers and four HoDs. The participants were purposively selected from two campuses in one TVET college in the Free State province. Research questions focused on how the HoDs perceive their leadership styles, how do lecturers perceive the leadership styles of HoDs, and what kinds of strategies are recommended to advance effective leadership styles of HoDs in TVET colleges. The findings indicate that HoDs at this particular TVET college need proper induction and intensive training on four management functions, namely Planning, Leading, Organising and Controlling. Although the majority of HoDs seem to be using democratic leadership styles, lecturers reporting to them are not entirely satisfied as they feel that they are not included in the decisions that affect them in class. Recommendations to remedy or improve the situation are provided including issues to consider for further research.