EXPLORING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEACHER LEADERSHIP IN LESOTHO HIGH SCHOOLS

Abstract

Whilst teacher leadership is an evolving concept with a potential that has yet to be realized, the fostering of teachers’ leadership growth remains a sustainability element in education worldwide. Teacher leadership for sustainability indicates a fresh and extended consideration of leadership emphasising sustainability principles and providing leadership that transforms the school environment while engaging in collaborative efforts to do so. Located in the interpretive paradigm, this qualitative study sought to elicit the views of Heads of department (HoDs) and District Education Managers (DEMs) in Lesotho high schools to explore the views they consider most relevant in developing teacher leadership skills to ensure leadership succession as sustainable practice. The findings reveal that to achieve sustainable teacher leadership, there is a need to withdraw from a top-down hierarchical model of leadership towards more flexible, transformative, and empowering approaches to leadership. Furthermore, in order to maintain sustainable teacher leadership, HoDs and DEMs must be innovative in providing reflective plans for professional development that can sustain teachers throughout their careers and foster learning environments that are healthy for teachers, learners, and the school. The study recommends that school leaders should mobilise the leadership expertise of teachers in their schools in order to create more chances for transformation and capacity building. Sustainable teacher leadership can help bring about great improvements in a school, including extending the scope of leadership beyond what the HoDs and DEMs cannot achieve alone, and building their relationship capacity to become collaborative change agents.