Networking for school leadership Presentation for EMASA 2011 Conference Pontso Moorosi & Edith Kiggundu

About the paper Reports on ACE data set Focuses of networking (full report available at DBE website) Focuses on 1 st cohort (430) Explores perceptions and experiences of networking Acknowledge other researchers

Methodology 27 case studies (eroded to 22) Interviews with candidates & role sets Observations of networking sessions (*)

What is networking? Linking up with other people, projects or organization who have goals which are more similar to ones’ own? The interaction of individuals together in groups in a manner that facilitates the reciprocal change of information?

Conceptual framework Networking as powerful tool for leadership learning Networking has a particular structure organised & coordinated Voluntarism and collaboration Complementarity of interests

Nature of networking Different HEIs different approaches Networks fostered by universities and/or provinces, hence formal Size of networks varied

Profile of participants Position Gender Prin.APDPADPHODOTotal Female male Total

Survey data Highly beneficial National Institutional Learning approaches Of great help Of some help Of limited help Of no help Networking76%22%1% 0% Learning approaches NMMUUCTUKZNUJUP Networking

Challenges to networking Conceptions of networking ‘Networks’ established to discuss assignments Distance in between schools Competition amongst candidates impeded networks Secondary school vs primary schools

Conclusions Networking was perceived to be a positive resource even though it was hardly implemented Where they existed networks were patchy and not fully developed

Recommendations Networks be refocused to address school leadership and management issues and not simply on course assignments. District and provincial involvement Candidates be encouraged to develop their own networks