School of Education

Rationale for the Programme                                                                                                   

The purpose of the MEd is to enhance the leadership skills and knowledge of educational leaders employed in support of the public school system, higher education and education related industries in Botswana and other countries of SADC and the Commonwealth. An educational leadership programme should result in a more effective and efficient education system and a more professional leadership team. It should result in leaders with the ability to manage change as their organisations move towards the vision. In Botswana there is an identified need to train teachers and people in other cadres holding positions of responsibility. This is because most people get promoted even when they have not been exposed to any form of training on leadership.

Programme Courses Synopsis

 FE911 Foundations of Educational Leadership

The Foundations of Educational Leadership will introduce leaders to the concepts and principals of educational leadership. This course will provide learners with an overview of the roles of educational leaders and the impact of educational leadership on the society and educational system. This course will explore different theories and models on educational leadership and the impact to the individual, organisation and society. It is a course that will challenge learners to reflect upon theory and practice and apply the principles, concepts and framework to real world situations.

RM911 RESEARCH Methods For Educational Leaders & RP912 Research Proposal

The course on Research Methodology for Educational Leaders will provide participants with the knowledge and skills required to conduct applied research in education. Specifically, the course will foster an understanding of the basic concepts of educational and organisational research, and the types of research that could be carried out to assess and evaluate the quality of the teaching and learning environment. A description of the steps involved in carrying out research, especially action research, is given, as well as a discussion of how the findings of research could be applied to improve system wide educational practices. The course also addresses how educational data can be collected, analysed and used extensively to guide the formulation and implementation of policies and practice that support educational improvement.

CL912 The Culture of Leadership

The Culture of Leadership course helps emerging leaders deepen their understanding of their own leadership capacity, the critical role of personal and professional values in defining leadership in education, and the critical need for ethical leadership in one's professional, personal and family life. It focuses on enhancing self-understanding about beliefs, values and practices through the development of a critically reflective orientation towards teaching, leadership, and learning, and examines the nature, models, and theories of reflection and reflective practice. It looks at ways of creating a conducive and inclusive learning environment, and the development of partnerships within the community. Overall the learners will gain valuable knowledge and skills to become confident and effective leaders.

LC921 LEADING Curriculum Change

Leading Curriculum Change examines the multifaceted nature of curriculum studies. The course explores historical and contemporary viewpoints, and highlights the interaction between theory and practice. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on providing real global examples, thus offering learners a broad and diverse understanding of current educational practices. The course also examines effective leadership principles in the context of curriculum reform, and explores the intrinsic relationship between curriculum studies and school reform.

EC921 LEADING Educational Change

The Leading Educational Change course will prepare educational leaders to effectively facilitate and guide the change effort in their organisations.  Educational leaders must exercise the strategic art of leadership in response to changing educational needs facing communities today and in the future. This course will prepare educational leaders to properly and in a timely manner assess their impact of change on their vision and seek to respond effectively to these changes.

ES921 LEADING Educational Systems

The Leading Educational Systems course will prepare educational leaders to better manage the systems, resources, curriculum, facilities and personnel under their charge. Educational leaders are action-oriented individuals who anticipate the short- and long-term consequences of their strategies. They consider strategies as they relate to their own organisation, the ministry and the government as a whole. The course will provide leaders with the decision-making skills they require to create strategies that support the business of education. It will help them implement policies for the education system that embrace the rule of law and guide the ethical practices in the administration of their duties.  

FD922 Future Of Education In Developing World

The future is changing so dramatically and quickly that it poses more challenges for current educational leaders. They are educating students for the unknown. Hence, educational leaders need to explore the necessary changes and challenges that their educational systems are faced with now; and how innovation can be used to inform their future. In order to achieve a sustainable future for their community this course will help educational leaders explore the trends, issues and practices that impact the future of their educational systems.

DI920 Major Projects/Thesis

The M Ed learners will do a major Project founded in real world problem that allows the candidate to employ and demonstrate mastery of the concepts, best practices and research explored during the coursework. A detailed report must be provided describing the problem, options, methods used to solve the problem and results of the chosen solution.

Programme Structure

Table 1: Med Educational Leadership Curriculum Structure

Year 1 Semester 1

Year 1 Semester 2

Code

Subject Name

Credits

Code

Subject Name

Credits

FE911

Foundations of Educational Leadership

20

CL912

The Culture of Leadership

20

RM911

Research Methods for Educational Leaders

40

RP912

Research Proposal

40

Sub Credit Total

60

Sub Credit Total

60

Year 2 Semester 1

Year 2 Semester 2

LC921

Leading Curriculum Change

20

FD922

The Future of Education in the Developing World

20

EC921

ES921

Leading Educational Change/or

Educational System

20

DI920

Major Project/Thesis

60

DI920

Major Project/Thesis

60

     

Sub Credit Total

100

Sub Credit Total

80

Total Credit for the Programme

300

 

 

 

 

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