Main Article Content
Risk management practices of high school principals regarding physical activities
Abstract
Physical activities are an integral part of the curriculum of schools in South Africa. They usually form the medium of learning and instruction in physical education (within life orientation). Physical activity has therefore been the subject of research over several decades. Research with a
focus on safety around physical education (PE) activities has been conducted for at least five decades. However, in South Africa little research effort has been devoted to matters of safety and security of the learners participating in PE activities as part of their curriculum. Further, risk
management does not form part of the curriculum of professional preparation programmes for educators. This study was undertaken to identify what the key safety concerns at schools in PE are, and to establish what the risk management practices implemented by principals at high
schools in selected provinces are. This paper follows the approach that school principals are staff with the highest authority and legal liability for the affairs of learners at schools. The aim was also to highlight the main problems associated with safety generally in PE and to suggest
strategies to protect learners by reducing physical injuries and/or mental and emotional harm they may suffer. Armed with this knowledge, it would be possible to increase awareness of educators and other role players about their legal responsibilities for the safety and security of the learners
in their care. The approach adopted was an inter-institutional research project among three university departments offering sport management. Two instruments that were previously validated and pilot tested were used to gather data. Purposive sampling was done in three provinces, and all schools that were willing to participate in the study were sent questionnaires. The double blind technique was utilized, whereby the administrators and principals were not aware that there were two separate questionnaires, and each of them was completing one. The results indicate that there is a fair proportion of principals who fail to comply with minimum
requirements specified for safety. These latter principals would be in violation of the Schools Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Department of Education policies and directives, as well as common law doctrines. These findings support previous reports that educators are not
adequately aware of, or do not fully comprehend the implications of their legal liability relative to activities in PE at schools. Recommendations and broad guidelines have been offered to ensure that learners experience a safe and nurturing environment where they may receive the maximum benefit of instruction in and through physical activities.
focus on safety around physical education (PE) activities has been conducted for at least five decades. However, in South Africa little research effort has been devoted to matters of safety and security of the learners participating in PE activities as part of their curriculum. Further, risk
management does not form part of the curriculum of professional preparation programmes for educators. This study was undertaken to identify what the key safety concerns at schools in PE are, and to establish what the risk management practices implemented by principals at high
schools in selected provinces are. This paper follows the approach that school principals are staff with the highest authority and legal liability for the affairs of learners at schools. The aim was also to highlight the main problems associated with safety generally in PE and to suggest
strategies to protect learners by reducing physical injuries and/or mental and emotional harm they may suffer. Armed with this knowledge, it would be possible to increase awareness of educators and other role players about their legal responsibilities for the safety and security of the learners
in their care. The approach adopted was an inter-institutional research project among three university departments offering sport management. Two instruments that were previously validated and pilot tested were used to gather data. Purposive sampling was done in three provinces, and all schools that were willing to participate in the study were sent questionnaires. The double blind technique was utilized, whereby the administrators and principals were not aware that there were two separate questionnaires, and each of them was completing one. The results indicate that there is a fair proportion of principals who fail to comply with minimum
requirements specified for safety. These latter principals would be in violation of the Schools Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Department of Education policies and directives, as well as common law doctrines. These findings support previous reports that educators are not
adequately aware of, or do not fully comprehend the implications of their legal liability relative to activities in PE at schools. Recommendations and broad guidelines have been offered to ensure that learners experience a safe and nurturing environment where they may receive the maximum benefit of instruction in and through physical activities.
