Abstract:
The education system in South Africa is undergoing transitional
change therefore the principal's role and perceptions concerning
this role also become affected.
Traditionally principals managed schools without opposition from
teachers and pupils because of authority and power vested on them
by the Department of Education and Training . Presently this
traditional role of the principal is contested by teachers and
pupils to such an extent that principals are chased away from
their schools.
In this study empirical research is employed in order to assess
the perceptions that teachers and pupils have on the role of the
principal. According to responses, the teachers as well as the
pupils prefer an open, democratic principal.
The conclusion therefore is ·that the teachers and pupils'
perceptions about the role of the principal have changed. They
are not prepared to be passive any more and are demanding
participation in management.
