Mapheleba

=School Leadership in Lesotho=

Introduction
Education in Lesotho is orgaised under two distict authorities, namely the churches and the government. These two major stakeholders run education in joint partnership, though the state remains the major partner and bears final responsibility in matters of policy, curricula and teacher management. Thete three levels in control of schools, namely the macro-level, the meso and micro (local).

The macro level
At macro level or central level, the state exercises power in terms of policy development and policy direction, development and prescription of school curricula, teachers' salaries, teacher management though in an indirect way and resource allocation. On the church side, there is a parallel body, the education (school) secretariat responsible for development of denominational education policy, ethos and character based on the doctrine of the proprietor church.

The meso level
At meso level or distict level, the district education office exercises the management and governance of school, within given limits. This includes school inspection, recommending the appointment, transfer and dismissal of teachers and principals. There are, however, the operational parameters within which they can exercise their authority. Their key role is to be a link between the Ministry of Education and Trainuing at central level, and the schools in a district of assignement and service the school on professional and administrative matters, by providing support.

On the side of the church, the key function of the church is to define the character, ethos and identity of the church

improve the is schools the that maintains the church the A similar feature levelWithin the church setup, there are three levels establishment There are At school level, the principal provides educational leadership and looks into the day-to-day management of the school. In the execution of duties, the principal is assisted by the Deputy principal, heads of departments and class teachers in the case of secondary schools. From time to time the principal delegates authority to teachers or students issues such as staff discipline, student discipline, sports, music and school finances.

micro level
For effective running of the school the principals usually form committees to look after different aspects of the school into the issues of discipline In some schools of of a school charged with the responsibility of of the school and.

The effectivenes of a school is often judged by the strong, purposeful and goal-oriented leadership of the principal who plays a central role in ensuring that the school achieves its academic and social goals.