Developing a Cadre of Educational Managers

SUMMARY

The paper explores the possible impact of the Botswana Secondary Schools Management Development Project on human resource development in the education sector. The introduction describes the context of the project, relates organizational development to human resource development and outlines the concept of the self‐managing school. After a discussion of the educational context, within the framework of the revised National Education Policy, the infrastructural elements of the project are related to the conceptual networks which include equity, sustainability and co‐operation (teamwork). This is followed by a description of a school‐focused strategy and the adoption of two key methodologies, co‐consultancy and action research. Project activities are outlined in tabular form before looking at the approaches and structures that are intended to enable creative and flexible sustainability. The key section looks to the future, exploring the potential impact the project may have on the professional development of the educational manager cadre in schools and the Ministry of Education.