The influence of post provisioning norms on quality curriculum delivery and management in secondary schools

Abstract

The implementation of post provisioning norms (PPN) by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in secondary schools has had a huge impact on the Maphumulo circuit management centre. Many secondary schools had to declare teachers as superfluous as per the mandate from the DBE if the enrolment had decreased. Secondary schools have been left without teachers for certain subjects, the duty load of teachers have had to be changed and sometimes the school curriculum has had to change too. It is not easy for both teachers and principals to deliver and manage curriculum if the workforce is not sufficient at a school because the environment is then not favourable for teaching and learning. The DBE is the provider of the financial resources in ordinary public schools that are ranked from quintiles one to five. Schools that experience lower learner enrolment may fail to maintain the buildings, teaching and learning as well as grounds. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of PPN on quality assurance (QA) in curriculum delivery and management in Maphumulo secondary schools. The research question of this study was: What are the perceptions of secondary school teachers, a principal and a Chief Education Specialist of the Maphumulo circuit management centre about the influence of PPN on quality curriculum delivery and management in secondary schools? The objectives were to determine the effect of PPN on quality curriculum delivery and management (QCDM), and determine how PPN affect assessment, and how to improve PPN implementation in secondary schools. The qualitative approach in the form of semi-structured focus group interview and semi-structured individual interviews was used in this study. The participants were ten teachers who came from different schools, one principal and one Chief Education Specialist from the circuit management centre. The findings suggested that PPN posed a challenge to QCDM. The study further indicated that the current PPN has a negative influence on QCDM because the schools which lose teachers cannot function smoothly. Ultimately, it is hoped that this body of work will assist in promoting further discussion and debate about the influence of PPN on quality curriculum delivery and management in secondary schools.