Coming on Board

Abstract

This article seeks to describe the problems that new principals face in developing countries. The literature, such as it is, suggests that these can include role clarification, technical expertise and institutional socialization. For this research, data was obtained from a questionnaire to new and veteran principals of black schools in the North-west region of South Africa. This found that new principals are concerned with inadequate physical facilities, pupils' inability to buy books or pay fees, lack of residential accommodation for staff, shortage of teaching posts, the dismissal of incompetent teachers, poor staff morale, too much administrative work, and political unrest. The authors recommend greater attention be given to the provision of comprehensive induction programmes for new principals.