Challenges of facilitating leadership qualities in the foundation phase

Abstract

The importance of facilitating leadership qualities in the foundation phase cannot be overemphasised in the school context. The aim of the study was to investigate the challenges facing teachers during the facilitation of leadership qualities to their foundation phase learners. A qualitative research method was used. Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach was used and purposive sampling procedure was used to select eight grade 3 teachers and grade 3 learners from four government primary school. Focus group interviews and observations were used as data collection tool. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study findings revealed that the major challenge facing foundation phase teachers emanates from the lack of physical resources, small classroom space, uncooperative learners’ behaviours and the lack of policy framework from the government to guide the teachers on how to facilitate leadership qualities to their learner. The study concluded that for leadership qualities to be effectively facilitated in the foundation phase the identified challenges should be managed and properly dealt with among all stakeholders.

Keywords: Behavior, Development, Grade 3 Learners, Grade 3 Teachers, Policy Framework, Teaching and Learning