UKZN Academics and Students Present at International Conference

BY: .

UKZN academics and students delivered presentations at the 16th Annual International Education Management Association (EMASA) Conference in Durban.

The theme of the Conference was: 21 Years of Democracy: Looking Back into the Future of Educational Leadership, Management and Governance in South Africa.

Issues discussed included:

• The importance of thinking and reflecting carefully on the quality of the contribution being made in education to promoting effective leadership and management;

•  The experience of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education in dealing with issues in the context of deteriorating social cohesion, safety and security in schools;

•  The support the Zenex Foundation gives EMASA, providing an important space for critical reflection on leadership, management and governance in education at various levels within the system;

• Re-thinking school leadership in South Africa and leadership implications for school principals. Community participation must work to support teaching and learning, while putting schools at the centre of communities;

• ICT in Education – technology can restore learning curiosity and enhance learner-centred learning but there are inherent dangers;

•  The policy on the standards for South African Principalship;

•   Managing diversity in education. The academics, from Educational Leadership and Management in the School of Education, and from Community Development in the School of Built Environment and Development Studies, included: Professor Vitallis Chikoko, Dr Sagie Naicker, Dr Inba Naicker, Dr Thamsanqa Thulani Bhengu, Dr Phumlani Myende, Mr Sandile Sam Mbokazi, Mr Sibusiso Bayeni, Mr Nhlanhla Mkhize, and Ms Pinkie Mthembu.

Students who presented papers were PhD in Education candidates Mr Mduduzi Ndwandwe, Mr Sikhulekile Ngcobo, Ms Monica Nyachowe, Mr Christopher Mandizvidza, Mr Jerome Zulu and Mr Sithenjwa Ncwane; and Masters in Education students Mr Nhlanhla Mngomezulu; Mr Dumisani Zondo, and Ms Nokukhanya Satimburwa; BEdHons in Education student, Mr Davis Adebiyi, and Postgraduate Diploma in Community Development student, Mr Dumisani Mbokazi.

Dumisani Mbokazi