Challenges Faced by Heads of Departments (HODs) in Driving Quality Curriculum Management in a Secondary School in Durban, South Africa

Abstract

Heads of Department (HODs) have an important role to play in ensuring quality curriculum management. Becoming a HOD, however, requires that teachers develop a different set of skills and abilities to effectively manage the multiple aspects of curriculum management. The aim of the research was to examine the challenges that HODs face in driving quality curriculum management, and then to consider the strategies that could be developed to improve curriculum management in a secondary school in Durban, South Africa. The qualitative research approach was followed, using semi-structured interviews to collect data. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Key findings indicated various challenges such as a lack of subject knowledge, absenteeism of teachers, a lack of resources, and cases where teachers were not specialising in a subject that they were tasked with monitoring. It is recommended that the Department of Education ensures that HODs participate in induction.