School Inspection for Quality Leadership, Teaching, and Learning in South Africa
South African secondary schools have gradually increased access to a diverse number of students, but that has not led to a related increase in student success. Several factors contribute to low throughput and pass rates, and these include, among others, poor leadership, under-preparedness of students to pursue their education, lack of effective instruction, and inadequate access to student support services. The above-mentioned factors are important, but the key to improving throughput and pass rates in secondary education lies in ensuring quality leadership for effective teaching and learning through school inspection. Teaching and learning should be informed by institutional approaches that translate leadership into effective teaching and learning practices and learning support for students. This chapter will address school inspections as well as identify the constraints and enablers of leadership for teaching and learning to improve student performance.