Abstract:
The objectives of the study are to provide a perspective of the underlying imperatives of human
resource development; to explore the substantial indicators of an implementable Human Resource Development
(HRD) plan for office-based educators and to determine the roles that individuals and groups play in formulating
Individual and Group Development Plans. The study is qualitative in nature and semi-structured interviews were
conducted with one section of office-based educators, namely Deputy Chief Education Specialists (DCES) in three
education districts in the Free State province of South Africa. The key findings were that these office-based
educators have the desire to play a significant role in their job performance and that they need empowerment,
resources and leadership to guide them in their daily duties. The evidence of the narrative incidents with officebased
educators suggest that the development of an integrated HRD plan will provide a useful research tool for
those wishing to study the design and use of HRD plans in the future, as it provides a holistic overview to be taken
in the process and makes the development of an integrated plan a feasible task. HRD requires a new way of thinking
and interacting amongst district sections, and should be regarded as a step forward to improved development of
office-based educators. This improved development will subsequently have a positive influence of service delivery
to school-based educators with the aim of improved learner performance in the schools.
