A critical analysis on processes of filling promotional posts in South African schools: A transactional leadership perspective

Abstract

The formulation and implementation of Resolution 6 of 1998 during the redeployment process has led to (un)intended consequences when promotional posts are filled in South African public schools. Redeployment was a process aimed at placing redundant and excess teachers in schools where they were mostly needed when learners migrated from poorly to wellequipped schools after the demise of apartheid education in 1994. The aim was to prevent the retrenchment of teachers by placing them where they were needed. Resolution 6 of 1998 states that even when promotional posts are vacant, redundant and excess teachers should be given priority when filling such posts. Focus group interviews with teachers, principals and a face-to-face interview with the Labour Relations Officer of the Department of Education were conducted using open-ended questions. Verbatim transcribed data were analysed using the constant comparative method while adopting the grounded theoretical perspective. Findings demonstrate that since schools tend to declare redundant and unionized teachers in excess, these teachers end up in promotional positions with the assistance of their unions. In this paper, the author argues that promotional posts filled in this way may lead to a state of anarchy in school leadership due to unprocedural promotions that are influenced by the union. The author further argues this could lead to the subsequent loss of highly qualified and deserving teachers to other professions. Recommendations focus on the rearticulation and implementation of a revised Resolution 6 of 1998.