The perceived effectiveness of perfomance appraisal in Gauteng Independent Schools
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Date
2014-03-24
Authors
Weaver, Simon
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Abstract
Performance appraisal is being used in many schools to improve the effectiveness of
Organisations as well as develop individuals, South Africa is currently moving away from
the old inspection system which was used in Government Schools and has implemented
a new appraisal system for its schools. It is important at this time to ensure that the most
appropriate path is embarked upon so that the process adopted and implemented is
effective. This research aims to investigate the appraisal systems currently in use in
the Independent Schools in Gauteng and to inform the debate on what the critical
issues seem to be. A proposal is offered on the future of appraisal systems in schools.
All 95 head-teachers of the Independent Schools registered with the Independent
Schools council were sent questionnaires to complete. Three Preparatory schools were
selected and the teachers in each of the schools were sent a similar questionnaire
which gathered information about their perceptions of appraisal. The head-teachers
from the three schools were also interviewed.
The results indicate that teachers do not feel consulted about the process and thus lack
ownership. This implies that there are problems with the implementation of appraisal in
schools and that teachers do not really support the system. There was a large
discrepancy between the perceptions of the head-teachers and the teachers with the
head-teachers being far more positive about appraisal. Both groups generally felt that
business is different to education and that systems developed in business should be
adapted to the educational field rather than being transferred straight across. The
positive aspects of appraisal which were reported oh included useful reflection on
practice, ‘otivatioh of the teachers, improvement of performance and personal growth.
The negative outcomes indicated that it was a threatening process for the teachers, that
it sometimes encouraged individualism and competition, it involved subjective
assessments and evaluations, it lacked continuity and feedback and did not really build
relationships of trust,
In order to overcome the problems encountered, it was recommended that performance
management be jooked into as an alternative.