Advanced Diploma in School Leadership and Management
Education, Training and Development - Schooling
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification Overview
Purpose
The purpose of the qualification is to empower school leaders by enabling them to develop skills, knowledge, values, and attitudes needed for effective and efficient school management and leadership, geared towards systemic quality education enhancement. Such learners/school leaders will be able to work together in communities of practice and contribute to improving the quality of education delivery across the school system.
Rationale
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) developed a nationally recognized framework for the Advanced Diploma in School Leadership. This qualification, in collaboration with 15 participating universities, replaces the Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE) in School Leadership as the DBE's preferred qualification for aspiring and current school principals. It also serves as a pathway for former ACE management graduates at Level 6 to pursue a Bachelor of Education (Bed) Honours with a specialization in School Leadership and Management at Level 8 through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) processes.
The qualification aims to enhance collaborative and critical leadership and management skills, evidence- and action-based decision-making, and efficient use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in schools. By developing effective learning organizations, the qualification enables schools to engage with and benefit the community. Offered as a distance qualification, it replaces the ACE (School leadership) program, ensuring accessibility for school principals and others who cannot attend residential programs.
Professionally qualified teachers completing the Advanced Diploma in School Leadership and Management can progress to a BEd Honours Degree or a Postgraduate Diploma in Education. The new Advanced Diploma serves as the DBE's preferred qualification for school principals, with an RPL module facilitating the transition from HEQSF Level 6 qualifications to the required HEQSF Level 7 for the Advanced Diploma.
Outcomes
- Give adequate evidence of completing a professional portfolio and workplace project.
- Demonstrate competence in leading and managing teaching and learning in the school.
- Demonstrate competence in leading and managing extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.
- Demonstrate competence in leading and managing people and change.
- Demonstrate competence in leading and managing the school as an organisation.
- Demonstrate competence in working with and for the wider community.
- Demonstrate competence in working within and for the school system.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Plan, justify, execute, and evaluate a workplace project aimed at school improvement.
- Demonstrate understanding of school leadership and management in South Africa and globally.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Demonstrate personal and professional competencies for effective leadership in teaching and learning.
- Provide quality learning opportunities for children through effective leadership.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Manage extra-curricular and co-curricular activities to develop well-rounded individuals.
- Ensure quality learning for all within the context of national, provincial, and school policy.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Demonstrate theoretical understanding and practical competence in leadership and management of people.
- Develop professional skills for oneself and others in school communities.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Demonstrate understanding of the school as an organization and manage organizational systems holistically.
- Lead and manage the use of ICT, physical and financial resources, and school environment issues.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Engage with the school community and resources to support the school's vision and mission.
- Build the school into a broader community asset.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Demonstrate knowledge of relevant legislation and policies for school governance and development.
- Facilitate effective decision-making of school governing bodies and stakeholders.
Integrated Assessment:
- Assessment opportunities are integral to facilitating learning, providing formative and summative assessments.
- Encourage integration within modules, between modules, and across the qualification.
- Assessments are based on professional portfolio and workplace project, demonstrating professional development.
- Reflections on learning promote self-assessment and deep learning.
- Integrated Assessment focuses on applied competence in solving educational problems and demonstrating leadership skills.
- Assessment strategies are informed by the purpose of the qualification and NQF level.
- Distance Education assessments are moderated to ensure quality and support for learners.
- Inactive learners are supported through reminders, calls, and roll-over procedures to address barriers.
These assessment criteria ensure that learners demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to effectively lead and manage in educational settings.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.