AUTHOR=Klinck Kezell , Thutulwa Nancy , Pelser Anna-Marie 

TITLE=Creating a high-performing school management team: bringing talent to the table for effective service delivery

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Education

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2023.1228181

DOI=10.3389/feduc.2023.1228181

ISSN=2504-284X

ABSTRACT=The goal of this article is to help members of School Management Teams (SMT) in developing their abilities, leading to successful service delivery in secondary schools. The study used a qualitative research technique, exploratory research design and structured interview questionnaire to determine if SMTs had competences, knowledge, or attributes increasing their abilities providing recommendations for enhanced service delivery. n=12 participants from four different secondary schools obtaining first-hand experience of the phenomena under inquiry. Participants were specifically picked for their expertise, knowledge, and talents. Data were collected from participants via interviews, the data were evaluated using content analysis. Atlas-ti (Version 8.2) was used to evaluate collected data . Qualitative research approach was employed, namely a phenomenological strategy based on constructivism. With no data modification, this technique was adopted to understand the viewpoints of the SMT inside the selected schools. According to the research results, SMTs have competences, knowledge, and characteristics increasing their abilities, and strengthening these talents leads to efficient service delivery. Leadership, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities were among the talents assessed. Understanding school legislation and regulations, curriculum creation, and teaching strategies were all part of the expertise. Among the characteristics were flexibility, resilience, inventiveness, and enthusiasm. The research results advises that SMTs be provided opportunity to develop their abilities via training and mentoring programs. Several of the duties that SMTs are in charge of include procuring teaching and learning resources, updating physical buildings, coordinating community support for funding, and utilizing communication channels. The provision of inclusive learning support in schools is strongly related to these responsibilities. The study determined a certain set of talents and characteristics needed by SMTs, such as interpersonal skills, managerial skills, emotional intelligence, effective communication, and team-building skills. These qualities are essential for SMTs to carry out their duties and contribute to better service delivery. The future improvement of service delivery focus on three critical areas: strengthening academic performance, advancing social justice education, and raising student achievement. It is recommended that, by addressing these issues, service delivery within the educational system will be considerably improved in the future.