Abstract
M.Ed.
The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of Developmental Appraisal
System (DAS) designed by National Department of Education (NDE) on the way
educators perform their duties and specific causes of problems in the implementation of
DAS in Tembisa primary schools.
The study established that the appraisal panels including the principals, School
Management Teams (SMTs) and educators lacked the necessary skills to implement
DAS in these schools. These panel members failed to work as a team and had conflicts
among themselves. The principals and SDTs who were required by NDE to facilitate
and encourage staff to implement DAS lacked necessary knowledge to lead the
process.
Consequently, there was poor implementation of DAS in these schools since inadequate
strategies were employed to implement DAS and educators were frustrated by the
implementation of the appraisal system. Hence, they developed a negative attitude
towards DAS, which led to its failure.
In this research inquiry it was argued that the alternative strategies that include proper
and sufficient training, communication and teamwork should be employed in an effort to
implement DAS effectively. Educators also need to be motivated in this process in order
to accept change. The study also illustrated that educators should be involved in the
decision-making and planning of the implementation of DAS in order to commit
themselves.