An analysis of educators' perceptions of the developmental appraisal system: a case study of schools in Richards Bay.
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Date
2017
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Abstract
Research has shown that employees engage in Performance Appraisal on an on-going basis to
review their current performance and strategize on ways to improve. This view derives from
Locke’s conceptualization of goal-setting theory, in which employees set themselves
challenging goals to achieve during the appraisal cycle. Educators participate in an appraisal
process every year, but unfortunately very little improvement is noticeable in their
performance. The pass rates of the learners they teach are not improving. The main aim of this
study was to analyse the perceptions of educators regarding the Development Appraisal System
as it is constructed within the Department of Education. The study used a mixed-methods
approach, which involved survey methods (the administrations of questionnaires to 135
respondents) and in-depth interviews (7) to elicit the views of educators on the implementation
of Developmental Appraisal in schools. Through the data analysis this study established that
Performance Appraisal is well entrenched in schools. There were, however, challenges related
to the quality of its implementation. Educators find the process time consuming and state that
there is no time to do justice to the appraisal processes. The data analysis suggests that the
training programmes do not respond to the needs of the schools. A further analysis revealed
that educators engage in such appraisal largely to fulfil administrative requirements. The
consequence is that the scores entered on evaluation instruments and reporting documents are
unreliable and misleading, which affects the suitability of the development interventions
designed for educators. These findings have critical implications for the Department of
Education with regard to monitoring and supporting school managers to run an effective and
efficient Developmental Appraisal System.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.