The influence of leadership on the success or failure of public secondary schools : a case study of five secondary schools in Ekurhuleni North District, South Africa

Abstract

It was anticipated that public secondary schools in Ekurhuleni North District in Gauteng are facing educational leadership challenges; hence, the aim of this study was to explore: The influence of leadership on the success or failure of public secondary schools: A case study of five secondary schools in Ekurhuleni North District, South Africa. The main research question: How does leadership influence the success or failure of selected public secondary schools in Ekurhuleni North District? Due to COVID-19 qualitative case study research was conducted in only five secondary schools in Ekurhuleni North District of Education, Gauteng, South Africa – 39 participants (five principals, five deputy principals, five heads of departments, five SGBs, five members from the Representative Council of Learners, five parents, four Ekurhuleni North District of Education officials) were selected. Data was analysed, by engaging thematic analysis, and themes were developed. The study was supported by instructional, transformational, distributed and compassionate leadership framework. Findings revealed that selected schools in Ekurhuleni North District are facing multidimensional challenges, of which educational leadership is the main challenge.