Problems and training needs of women education managers in primary schools in Bloemfontein

Abstract

Women Education managers are still in the minority in primary schools in Bloemfontein, despite the many changes education has undergone in recent years. It is against this background that the researcher found it imperative to investigate the problems women education managers might experience in carrying out their managerial duties and responsibilities. The study further sought to investigate the training needs of women education managers.

On the basis of the perceptions held by educators, findings of research studies and the little South African literature that exists, the research questions crystallise as follows: What managerial problems do women education managers experience in carrying out their managerial duties? Do women education managers experience problems other than managerial problems in carrying out their duties? What training do they require?

The purpose of this investigation was to gain an insight into the problems women education managers in primary schools in Bloemfontein experience in carrying out their managerial duties. The literature review provided a focus as the framework on which this study is based.

In order to collect factual information about the managerial problems women education managers in primary schools in Bloemfontein encounter, questionnaires were distributed amongst the target group.

Women education managers experience problems in performing their managerial duties. These problems include delegation, finance management, human resource management, planning, formulation of objectives, policy formulation, decision making, problem solving and allocation of time.

There are some factors other than managerial competence and leadership style that have an influence on the way women education managers perform their duties. These factors include workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, negative attitudes towards women, emotional influences, promotion myths, lack of self-confidence, lack of support, role models and positive reinforcement, cultural socialization as well as allocation of duties. Other organisational factors women experience include: difficulty to cope with the demands of the post, too much workload, human relations, division of work in the department and when acting as principal when he/she is absent.

Based on the findings of the study, it is imperative that relevant training programmes that would address the particular needs of women education managers in primary schools in Bloemfontein, be developed. These training programmes should address the various areas of management which are problematic to women education managers. As education managers, women should seize every opportunity to leave behind the gender discrimination which is still prevalent in the sphere of education and commit themselves to undergo management training to successfully execute their managerial duties.

As education managers, women also need training in various organisational issues in which they experience problems. These problems also have an influence on the way women execute their managerial duties.

Recommendations for the study: By providing women education managers with the necessary managerial skills, the different areas of management in which women experience problems can be eradicated. They will have to undergo relevant training. Workshops and in-service training sessions need to be conducted to address the managerial areas in which women education managers experience problems.

The findings of this study are not representative of the Free State province and further research needs to be conducted in the entire province or even all over South Africa.