Time management skills of principals at secondary schools in the Mopani district, Limpopo province

Abstract

Time management by principals of secondary schools is a concern for South African schools. Principals are failing to utilise time management skills more effectively. Failure by principals of secondary schools as instructional leaders to promote growth in teaching and learning and to make instructional quality a top priority of the schools to realise the intended visions, in particular for this study, to effectively manage their time is probably the most crucial factor contributing to the current crisis in public schools. It is in the light of the points mentioned above that this study is concerned with the lack of time management skills by principals of secondary schools in influencing teaching and learning in their respective schools. The purpose of the study was to investigate time management skills of principals at secondary schools in Mopani District, Limpopo Province. A qualitative study was conducted employing the phenomenological approach which is a constructive approach. Individual interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data from the participants. Data were analysed using an explorative approach that enabled the researcher to understand how principals of secondary schools use skills to manage time. This research study is in line with the views of existing literature on time management skills. Three main themes were identified and were used to describe how principals of secondary schools use skills to manage time. The findings of the research indicate that, principals of secondary schools are well conversant with time management skills but are not utilising them effectively. The study also indicates that time interrupters hinder secondary school principals to manage time more effectively and it outlines ways of dealing with time wasters to ensure that time is managed more effectively. The study further outlined the participants’ suggestions on time management skills that can enable principals of secondary schools to utilise time optimally.