Teachers as curriculum leaders in secondary schools in Vhembe district, South Africa

Abstract

In the study reported on here we investigated how teachers exercised their role as curriculum leaders in secondary schools in South Africa. The study was conducted in 4 schools (2 semi-urban and 2 rural) in the Vhembe district of South Africa. Semi-structured individual interviews, focus-group discussions (FGDs), and lesson and meeting observations were used to generate data from 20 teachers. This study was framed within Grant’s (2012) model of teacher leadership. We engaged an exploratory multiple-case study, and 20 teachers were purposively and conveniently sampled. The findings reveal that teachers executed their role as curriculum leaders through engagement in instructional, school-based curriculum development (SBCD) for curriculum implementation and curriculum activities in the schools and in the communities. From the outcome we recommend the provision of sufficient resources and infrastructure to enhance learner-centred pedagogy, thus maximising learner’s learning.