Evaluating quality management principles in public schools in the Tshwane District towards improving performance

Abstract

ISO 9001 Quality Management Principles (QMPs) factors were initially developed for manufacturing industries; however, according to literature, they can be used in schools to improve academic and non-academic morale, the productivity of educators and learners, and to deliver higher quality services to school stakeholders. According to literature, given the importance that ISO 9001 QMPs, considered as factors for this study, have on the improvement of the service sector, it is necessary to increase the studies and the body of knowledge on the subject. The study focused only on secondary public schools in the Tshwane District, Gauteng, as these are the schools that have recorded lower academic performance, compared to the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) schools. The objectives of this study were to identify and then evaluate the most significant factors of quality management principles that improve school performance in the Tshwane District, and to identify the factors that support the QMPs (factors) in improving school performance in the Tshwane District. The reviewed literature in this study indicated that the evaluated seven QMPs (factors) are linked to the research problem, the research questions and research objectives of the study, and the reviewed literature focused on the niche areas of QMPs in the South African school context and the gaps identified in the niche areas. A quantitative research approach was adopted for this study. A cross-sectional study stratified the random sampling method which was used to collect data through an online, self-administered questionnaire. The findings of this study indicate that there is a positive correlation between the seven QMPs factors and the factors that support the seven QMPs factors, implying that the combination of these factors (the seven QMPs and the supporting factors) are significant and influence school performance. The study fills the void in QMPs (factors) literature and serves as a source of reference for future research in the niche area of ISO 9001 QMPs (factors).