Original Research

Strategies that leadership employ to support teacher professional development in Namibia

Josef H.S. So-Oabeb, Andre du Plessis, Andries Masenge
African Journal of Teacher Education and Development | Vol 3, No 1 | a34 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ajoted.v3i1.34 | © 2024 Josef H.S. So-Oabeb, Andre du Plessis, Andries Masenge | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 07 December 2023 | Published: 29 March 2024

About the author(s)

Josef H.S. So-Oabeb, Department of Education Management, Law and Policy Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Andre du Plessis, Department of Education Management, Law and Policy Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Andries Masenge, Department of Statistics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Namibian education is faced with a concern of poor-quality teaching and learning. One way of seeking to address this is through the professional development of teachers. Therefore, this study examined strategies used by school leaders to support teachers for improved subject knowledge and pedagogy.

Aim: The study aims to provide a fresh repository of information tailored for policymakers, political leaders and administrators to avail resources to capacitate and support school leaders towards innovative and creative strategies geared towards teachers’ professional development.

Setting: This article provides insights into the various strategies employed by principals and heads of departments (HODs) to support teacher professional development in the Namibian context.

Methods: This was a mixed-method study in which quantitative findings were used to guide the development of questions used during interviews. During the quantitative phase of the study, data were obtained from nine principals, 32 HODs and 62 teachers, while 23 participants comprising school principals, HOD and teachers participated in the qualitative phase of the study.

Results: The findings revealed that Namibian principals and heads of departments use multiple strategies employed by the leadership to support their teachers’ professional development efforts.

Conclusion: Namibian principals and heads of departments play a significant role in supporting teachers’ professional development and hence have established various strategies for improved subject knowledge and pedagogy.

Contribution: The study contributes to a body of knowledge on school leadership and teacher professional development by unveiling the current practices and relationships between school leaders and their teachers’ professional development in Namibia.


Keywords

school leadership; teacher professional development; professional development strategies; school principals; heads of department; leadership

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 4: Quality education

Metrics

Total abstract views: 1589
Total article views: 1078


Crossref Citations

No related citations found.