School Principal (School Manager)

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a School Manager. A School Manager leads, plans, develops and manages developed systems for effective and efficient delivery of quality education by ensuring the implementation and support of a values-driven ethos for quality teaching and learning. A qualified learner will be able to: • Lead and manage teaching and learning in a school. • Plan and manage the resources of the school. • Establish, lead and manage the relationship between and the impact of the internal and external community for the development of the school. • Develop self and others through life-long learning to deliver quality teaching and learning.

The Occupational Certificate: School Principal (School Manager) has been designed to develop the much needed applied competencies (knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and practices) which give effect to the Standards for Principalship. A qualification that will focus on developing principals and to assess enrolled learners in real contexts is vital to ensuring that they acquire real skills and capabilities to lead and sustain the major changes required in schools. There have been many changes introduced to schools including curriculum and Information and Communications Technology (ICT), all of these have targeted educators and not management. In the South African context, there are far too many schools that are not meeting even the minimum requirements for learner attainment. There is growing evidence of school dysfunctionality which requires improved management and leadership as important for school reform. South Africa needs highly qualified principals who can create not only an environment for effective teaching and learning, but also who can promote the school in the community as an institution of learning excellence. Most existing school management and education development programmes are workshops, short courses, or qualifications based on academic achievement with very little opportunity for practice and almost no on-site learning. This qualification will provide an opportunity for learners to acquire work-based learning and enhanced professionalism. The latter is vital for school management and leadership resulting in improved teaching and learning to meet the current learning challenges in the ever-changing environment. The scope of this qualification is intended for current and aspiring principals. It also seeks to increase qualifying learners with employment prospects within the education sector at school, district, provincial and national levels. This qualification was developed with the full participation of major stakeholders; Department of Basic Education (DBE) (National and Provincial), Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Independent Schools, Unions, South African Council for Educators (SACE), South African Principals Association (SAPA), and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Education is an essential component of economic development in the world and career success in a global society and depends on a relevant education. Therefore quality education and training is required for school principals to, firstly, close the gap between learners from diverse backgrounds and secondly, to empower learners who will play a meaningful and productive role in the ever-changing and demanding national and global society.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: • Teacher's qualification with a minimum three (3) years managerial experience in the education and training environment.

• Lead, manage and monitor the development and implementation of a school development plan, effective systems and strategies using available data to improve the curriculum delivery.
• Plan, manage and maintain the financial, human and physical resources of the school.
• Establish and promote stakeholder relationships and their impact on the development of the school.
• Lead and manage professional development of self and others through life-long learning to deliver quality teaching and learning.