Challenges, opportunities and strategies of distributed leadership in managing environmental education curriculum in South African secondary schools

Abstract

The study explores the application of distributed leadership in managing environmental education curricula in South African secondary schools. Adopting a qualitative case study design, data was collected through semi-structured interview and observations involving principals, heads of departments, teachers and subject advisors who were purposively sampled. The findings reveal key challenges in implementing distributed leadership, such as hierarchical tensions, teacher preparedness and administrative burdens, that hinder the effective implementation of distributed leadership. These factors hinder the full realization of distributed leadership, which is important for interdisciplinary environmental education. However, the study also points up opportunities for enhancing teacher empowerment, encouraging collaboration and promoting curriculum innovation. Practical strategies for overcoming these challenges include professional development, role clarity and a culturally relevant approach grounded in the African philosophy of Ubuntu. The research contributes to educational leadership discourse and provides practical recommendations for integrating environmental education into curricula through distributed leadership.