University, Education District, and Schools Collaboration in the Preparation of Local Level Educational Leaders: The Zimbabwean Experience

Abstract

The preparation of educational leaders has been of interest in many jurisdictions as evidenced in such works as Lunenburg & Ornstein (2008), Hoy & Miskel (2008), Holdaway & Ratsoy (1991), and Quarshie (1992). In developing countries where the population usually has low level of education, and educational leaders tend to be appointed on the basis of competence in teaching, what strategies can be adopted for preparing local level educational leaders?The purposes of this paper, which is a report of an Educational Leadership, Management and Development (ELMD) project undertaken by Africa University in collaboration with a rural Education District and selected schools in Zimbabwe, are to:•share experiences in the development and implementation of the ELMD project as a strategy for preparing local level educational leaders;•show how cooperation between partners in Zimbabwe and similar partners in South Africa enhanced work on the project;•discuss the impact of the project on schools in Zimbabwe; and•show implications of the project for the preparation of educational leaders in developing countries.Two main methods were used to gather data for the preparation of the report. The first was experiential as demonstrated by the fact that both authors served as Directors and instructors on the project at different times. Study of documents served as the second method for gathering data for the report. Content and thematic analyses were used in analyzing the data.The report shows that the ELMD provided participants on the project with relevant knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values needed for their leadership roles on the local school governing bodies. The ELMD was found to have empowered the local level educational leaders to become more effective as leaders not only in their schools but also within their local communities. There was evidence that performance of the schools involved in the project improved. It is concluded that:•the ELMD is an effective strategy for preparing local level educational leaders; and•the ELMD could be adapted for preparation of educational leaders in other developing countries.