Application of Collegiality in Schools: A Case of Gaborone Private Secondary Schools, Botswana.

Abstract

The use of collegial models in secondary schools is growing in importance with believes that it is more democratic and liberating to teachers. This study investigated the assumption that collegiality is applied in private secondary schools in Gaborone. Multi-stage cluster sampling strategy under the umbrella of cross-sectional research design was used to select the 8 accessible schools out of a cluster of 15 Gaborone private secondary schools. A twenty itemed questionnaire was given to 75 sampled teachers to react to three different aspects of collegiality. A Cronbach’s alpha index was used to ascertain reliability and it was found to be .84 for all items used. With the analysis of data using paired sample t-test with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), the findings of the study revealed that there was no use of consensus in management; no dialogue and involvement of staff in recruiting and firing of staff; and no involvement of teachers in the making of decisions through staff meetings in the day-to-day running of private secondary schools in Gaborone. Out of the findings, recommendations were made to private secondary schools stake holders, private secondary school managers and the ministry of education.

Key Words: Collegiality,Consensus,Private secondary schools, School management