Female Principals’ Leadership Experiences in Rural Schools Examined in PhD

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Dr Dorah Mutula achieved her PhD in Social Justice Education. Her thesis, Female Principals’ Leadership Experiences in Rural Schools in KwaZulu-Natal, employed intersectionality to uncover the multiple gendered challenges they face.

The findings revealed that these challenges include gender stereotypes, discrimination, prejudice, bias, rejection, and infantilisation and that women’s biographies, early learning, and school experiences shape and influence how they lead. The study critiques deficit discourses and highlights female principals’ resistance, agency and resilience in ensuring the effectiveness of their schools.

Their own childhood experiences significantly influenced their ability to advocate for equity and social justice in their schools and communities, illustrating the impact of early learning on leadership development and social change. 

Mutula concluded that women’s leadership experiences are linked to multiple factors and that resilience and supportive environments are required to overcome the challenges they face.

Her motivation to pursue this topic stemmed from her experiences in Kenya. ‘Growing up, I saw men being leaders; my primary and secondary school head teachers were male, and many of the schools I worked in had male principals. When I came to South Africa, I found that female leaders, especially those leading in rural areas were impeded by cultural beliefs in particular. I therefore wanted to understand the challenges they faced in leading rural schools.’

‘I hope that my study will benefit society by providing ways for women to negotiate cultural barriers such as stereotypes and biases in order to lead in rural schools,’ she said.

Dr Melanie Martin, who was her main supervisor for the study, congratulated Mutula on being awarded a PhD ‘in a much-needed area of research.’

Mutula suffered the loss of a close family member during her studies and expressed gratitude to her supervisors, Dr Martin and Professor Nyna Amin. ‘They were very caring, supportive and dedicated.’

‘I am also grateful to my family who have been an amazing support system. My husband, Professor Stephen Mutula, my daughters, Barbara and Melody Mutula, and my son-in-law Martin Kabange, stood with me in prayers and in kindness.’

Words: Jennene Naidu

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini