Secondary school leadership practice in Botswana: implications for effective training

Abstract

This article analyses the views of selected headteachers on the impact of the 10-year basic education policy on the leadership skills of secondary school headteachers in Botswana. Research literature on school leadership and management in Botswana is sparse. Despite this, demands for effective leadership in schools have continued as the education system changes. In 1996, the Botswana Government started to implement a 10-year basic education programme, which rapidly increased student numbers at both community junior and senior secondary schools and building projects for school expansion became the order of the day. Secondary school headteachers have to manage these changes. A central focus of this article is their perceptions of the practice used to appoint them, leadership skills required for the post, their leadership training, and how training for leadership can be improved to meet the educational changes. Using results of the interview data collected from eight selected secondary school headteachers, this article exposes the limitations of the practice and procedures that are used in appointing headteachers to school leadership position and the established procedures intended to develop a skilled leadership force in secondary education to ensure quality education. The article highlights the need for Botswana to establish a leadership training policy to guide the training of headteachers and ensure that schools become effective.