Abstract
The study aimed to understand the kinds of future-fit leadership strategies employed by school leaders that resulted in future-fit schools in rural primary schools in Limpopo. The literature reviewed defines and explains future-fit leadership using the theoretical framework of neuroleadership and gives clarity on the expectations of a neuroleader as a future-fit leader. Furthermore, through the literature review, we were able to define future-fit education; the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and the opportunities and challenges it brings for education; leadership styles and the leadership of rural primary schools; as well as the challenges faced by rural school leaders. A qualitative research approach was used in this study. Ten principals of rural primary schools in Limpopo responded to the research questions using WhatsApp voice notes. Their responses were converted into narratives, from which digital stories were created. After data collection, the responses were thematically analysed and coded in order to find the emerging themes and sub-themes. Four themes emerged: (1) The importance of a neuroleader as a future-fit leader. The sub-themes were the four competencies of a neuroleader, namely: Performance, Collaboration, Innovation, and Agility; (2) Future-fit education, with the sub-themes of future-fit schools and the advantages of technology; (3) The fourth industrial revolution. The sub-themes are the digitisation of schools, advantages of technology, and challenges of technology for rural schools; (4) Rural school leadership in a time of crisis. The sub-themes are the characteristics that support school leadership, the factors that hinder school leadership, leadership styles, and leadership during Covid-19. Since the study included 10 rural primary school principals in Limpopo, the findings can be generalised to suit other rural primary schools in Limpopo. This study revealed the future-fit leadership characteristics and strategies employed by principals in developing future-fit schools. The results highlight that future-fit leaders should be resilient, innovative, creative, and always prepared for crises. They should stay up to date with the latest innovations and changes in education. The study also revealed that technology and digitisation are essential tools in creating future-fit schools. Therefore, educators should ensure that they have the necessary skills to maximise the use of digital equipment in their schools to equip their learners adequately for a 4IR world. Infrastructure also needs to be improved to help with the digitisation of schools. Collaboration, innovation, and agility are contributing factors in managing the challenges of leading rural primary schools, especially during a crisis such as the Covid-19 pandemic. The study revealed that the pandemic reiterated the need for the various stakeholders such as the Department of Education, the school governing body, the school management team, the parents, the teachers, and the learners to work together. The various stakeholders are co-dependent on each other for successful teaching and learning in rural primary schools; they need to network and collaborate with each other...