Abstract
M.Ed.
The purpose of this research was to investigate the challenges facing the Development Support Grouping (DSG) in the implementation of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS). Based on this, the researcher sought to present guidelines to improve the process of educator evaluation.
The Integrated Quality Management System is a national policy aimed at increasing productivity among educators. IQMS comprises three programmes namely: Development Appraisal (DA), Performance Measurement (PM) and Whole school Evaluation (WSE). The three programmes ought to complement each other and run concurrently. The role of the Development Support Groups (DSG) is of cardinal importance in the implementation of IQMS. Because of the tremendous challenges inherent in IQMS and the fact that the DSG are responsible for baseline and summative evaluation, it is necessary to ascertain the challenges that the DSG are likely to encounter whilst exercising their roles and responsibilities during the implementation of IQMS.
The research concentrated on schools in the Vryheid District of KwaZulu- Natal. The quantitative research methodology was employed to elicit the perception of educators with regard to the implementation of IQMS in schools as well as the challenges facing the DSGS.
The findings of the research were clustered according to the four sections of the questionnaire. Some of these findings were:
• A large majority of educators in Vryheid District seem not to understand the purpose of IQMS.
• A higher percentage of respondents do not believe that the training they receive had prepared them for implementing IQMS.
• Most respondents do not strongly agree that WSE evaluates the effectiveness of school in terms of national goals.
• A smaller percentage of respondents agreed that WSE provides feedback as a means of achieving continuous improvement.
• Most educators believe that lesson observation is necessary for educator development.
• The contribution of the DSG towards educator development is of a limited extent.
• Educators do not have sufficient time to serve on DSG.