The development of working relationships between indigenous and expatriate teachers : a case study
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Authors
Brown, Byron Alditon
Issue Date
2001-11
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Indigenous teachers , Expatriate teachers , Working relationships , Development , School , Metatheoretical perspective , Theoretical assumptions , Micropolitics , Micropolitical perspective , Research ethics , Trustworthiness , Cultural differences
Alternative Title
Abstract
The education reform efforts in Botswana have focused predominantly on teacher
preparation, recruitment and compensation. Recruitment efforts have resulted in a
significant number of expatriates working with indigenous teachers in many schools.
However, as the schools are currently upgraded and restructured, the quality of the
working relationships forged between indigenous and expatriate teachers represents one
vital aspect in the reform effort that has gone almost unattended. Many teachers have
become dissatisfied and concerned about these relationships, despite compensation and
preparation. A decisive first step in attending to these relationships lies in understanding
how they develop. The aim of this exploratory study was to identify and describe factors
related to the development of working relationships between indigenous and expatriate
teachers and illustrate how those factors contribute to the development of these
relationships. The study employed a micropolitical perspective and through
phenomenological interviews, observation and document analysis, indicated that cultural
differences in language and communication, regard for time, handling of student
discipline, work ethics and professionalism along with ambiguity and uncertainty,
professional and interpersonal obligations, indigenous to expatriate teacher ratio and the
interplay of micropolitics are related to the development of these relationships. Results,
however, are specific to one school context and should not be generalized. The study
recommends management strategies such as provision of programmes for cultural
exchange, communication mode standardization, a dean of discipline system, faculty
building and further research to redress the situation.
Description
Citation
Brown, Byron Alditon (2001) The development of working relationships between indigenous and expatriate teachers : a case study, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/951>