JOB DESCRIPTIONS

A. JOB DESCRIPTION OF THE PRINCIPAL :

 To ensure that the school is managed satisfactorily and in compliance with applicable
legislation, regulations and personnel administration measures as prescribed.
 To ensure that the education of the learners is promoted in a proper manner and in
accordance with approved policies.
 To be involved at school management level with responsibilities relative to grade
implementation, evaluation of teaching programmes, teaching, supervision,
administration and in-service development, inspection and guidance of teachers
at the school.

B. CORE DUTIES OF THE PRINCIPAL:

The duties and responsibilities of the principal are individual and varied, depending on the
approaches and needs of the particular school. The duties and responsibilities include, but
are not limited to, the following. The principal should:

ACCOUNTABILITY

1. Ensure that the school is managed efficiently and professionally.

2. Create and implement a School Development Plan (SDP) and PAAI, which identifies
priorities and academic targets to ensure that learners achieve high standards and that
teaching is effective.
3. Create an environment that secures effective learning for all learners and promotes high
standards of achievement, behaviour and discipline.
4. Develop and implement guidelines for learner conduct, and a discipline plan with rules
and consequences for learner behaviour.
5. Ensure that teachers fully comply with the guidelines in the Code of Conduct for
teachers.
6. Create an environment that secures effective teaching in each classroom.
7. Ensure that everything required is done to fill vacancies on the staff.
8. Account for the school’s performance through the continuous analysis of performance
data, and for appropriate planning to sustain or improve performance indicators.
9. Ensure that the school meets all statutory and legal requirements in relation to relevant
legislation, e.g. The Constitution of Namibia, the Education Act, the Labour Act, the
Social Security Act, the Public Service Act, etc.
10. Provide relevant information to parents, the community and other interested parties.

11. Develop a realistic budget that includes the priorities of the Ministry and the
school by involving the staff, the parents and the community. Perform efficient
budget control.
12. Provide information and advice to the School Board on educational issues.
13. Ensure that the financial accounts of the school are maintained according to
financial regulations.
14. Account for the complete inventory of the school.
15. Account for the hostel and all related activities including the staff and
learners, if one is attached to the school.
16. Sees to it that different extra-mural activities exist to meet the social and
physical needs of the learners.
17. Foster knowledge of and respect for Namibian National Symbols and National
Assets.

PROMOTING A POSITIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE

18. Promote a safe and caring climate for learning.

19. Lead by example, is committed to high ethical standards of behaviour and
discipline, and provide inspiration and motivation to the school community.
20. In consultation with the School Board and the staff, generate a vision, an
ethos and policies for the school which promote high levels of achievement.
21. Support the management and the staff in achieving the goals, targets and
priorities the school sets for itself.
22. Ensure that the management of the school supports the MoE’s vision, policies
and goals.
23. Monitor and review all aspects of attainment, priorities, targets, goals and
policies and takes the necessary action.
24. Encourage collaborative decision making.
25. Recognise exemplary performance of teachers and learners.
26. Plan internal opportunities for school beautification through landscaping and
maintenance.
27. Develop and administer policies that provide a safe school environment and
promote learner health and welfare.

CREATING AN EFFECTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

28. Create a positive culture that promotes quality teaching and learning.
29. Ensure that teachers set an example of being committed, well prepared, hard
working, consequent and approachable.
30. Implement and organise the curriculum according to the broad curriculum of
the MoE and monitor and evaluate its effectiveness.
31. Monitor the quality of teaching and learners’ achievements including the
analysis of performance data.
32. Manage school time to ensure maximum time on task with minimal disruptions.
33. Ensure that the assessment policy of the MBESC is properly implemented and
efficiently organised.

34. Coordinate and provide opportunities for the teachers and learners to
improve their oral, reading, writing, listening and spelling skills in English and
other languages.
35. Assess and record the attainment of learners.
36. Monitor teacher and learner attendance.
37. Develop links with parents, other schools, clusters, the wider community,
including business and industry, in order to enhance teaching and learning
and learners’ personal development.
38. Create an effective partnership with parents.
39. Contribute, as appropriate, to the teaching in the school.

LEADING AND MANAGING THE STAFF

40. Develop positive working relationships with, and between, all staff members.
41. Implement and sustain effective strategies for the management of all staff.
42. Advise and guide the professional staff in all educational issues.
43. Plan, evaluate and support the work of subject groups and other groups of
staff, delegate appropriately and clearly and evaluate outcomes to ensure
quality education.
44. Ensure that workloads are equitably distributed among the staff.
45. Coordinate and provide staff development activities.
46. Sustain staff motivation.
47. Ensure proper induction of new staff members.
48. Resolve disputes and difficulties speedily and consistently.

EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT OF STAFF AND RESOURCES

49. Ensure that all staff understand their respective roles and responsibilities.
50. Deploy and develop the staff to make most effective use of their skills,
expertise and experience.
51. Manage and organise learners to ensure that effective teaching and learning
takes place and that individual learner’s personal development needs are
met.
52. Establish, in collaboration with the School Board, priorities of expenditure from
the School Devlopment Fund and monitor the effectiveness of spending.
53. Monitor the use and maintenance of resources.

INTERACTION WITH STAKEHOLDERS

54. Serve on the School Board and render all necessary assistance to the School
Board in the performance of their functions in terms of the Education Act.
55. Meet parents concerning learners’ academic progress and conduct.
56. Participate in community activities in connection with educational matters.
57. Ensure that the school fully participates in cluster activities.
58. Liaise with Regional Office concerning policies, administration, staffing,
accounting, purchase of equipment and updating of statistics in respect of
teachers, learners and other educational issues.
59. Communicate effectively with Regional Office regarding requests, queries
and explanations.
60. Liaise with relevant structures (e.g. NIED) regarding curriculum development.
61. Liaise with other relevant Ministries (e.g. Min. of Works, Min. of Home Affairs,
etc) as required.
62. Co-operate with universities, politechnicons and colleges in relation with
learners’ records and performance..
63. Maintain contact with sports, social, cultural and community organisations.
64. Participate in ministerial and professional committees, seminars and courses.
ADMINISTRATIVE

65. Give proper instructions and guidelines for timetabling, admission and
placement of learners.
66. Ensure a School Journal containing a record of all-important events connected with the
school is kept.
67. Make regular inspections of the school to ensure that the school premises and equipment
are being used properly and that good discipline is being maintained.
68. Ensure that ministerial and other circulars received which affect members of the staff are
brought to their notice as soon as possible and are stored in an accessible manner.
69. Handle all correspondence received at the school.
70. Ensure that a complete inventory is kept and a stock-taking is conducted
once a year.
71. Co-ordinate and encourage fund raising efforts.
A. JOB DESCRIPTION OF THE HOD :

 To assist the Principal in managing the school and promoting the education of learners
in a proper manner.
 To maintain a total awareness of the administrative procedures across the total range of
school activities and functions.
 To engage in class teaching, be responsible for the effective functioning of the
department and to organise relevant/related extra-curricular activities so as to ensure
that the subject, learning area or phase and the education of the learners is promoted in
a proper manner.
 To be involved at school management level with responsibilities relative to grade
implementation, evaluation of teaching programmes, teaching, supervision,
administration and in-service development, inspection and guidance of teachers at the
school.

B. CORE DUTIES OF THE HOD:

The duties and responsibilities of the head of department are individual and varied, depending
on the approaches and needs of the particular school. The duties and responsibilities include,
but are not limited to, the following:

ACCOUNTABILITY

The Head of Department assists the principal in creating an effective learning environ- ment,
and if instructed to, takes joint accountability to:

1. Assist the principal and ensures that the school is managed efficiently and
professionally.
2. Account for the academic performance of the department and the school.
3. Help to create and implement a School Development Plan, which identifies
priorities and academic targets to ensure that learners achieve high standards and that
teaching is effective.
4. Create an environment that secures effective learning for all learners and
promotes high standards of achievement, behaviour and discipline.
5. Develop and implement guidelines for learner conduct, and a discipline plan
with rules and consequences for learner behaviour.
6. Ensure that teachers fully comply with the guidelines in the Code of Conduct
for teachers.
7. Create an environment that secures effective teaching in each classroom.

PROMOTING A POSITIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE

The Head of Department assists the principal in creating a positive school climate
(see duties of principal) and takes responsibility to:

8. Promote a safe and caring climate for learning.

9. Lead by example, is committed to high ethical standards of behaviour and
discipline, and provide inspiration and motivation to the school community.
10. Support the staff in achieving the goals, targets and priorities the school sets
for itself.
11. Monitor and review all aspects of attainment, priorities, targets, goals and
policies and takes the necessary action.
12. Recognise exemplary performance of teachers and learners.
13. Perform any other duty or responsibility that might be reasonably requested
by the principal under this element.

CREATING AN EFFECTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

The Head of Department assists the principal in creating an effective learning

Environment (see duties of principal), and if instructed to, takes responsibility to:

14. Set an example of being committed, well prepared, hard working,

consequent and aproachable.
15. Develop a classroom environment and teaching practice which secures
effective learning and provides a professional model, clearly demonstrating
effective teaching, classroom organisation and high standards of achieve-ment,
behaviour and discipline.
16. Monitor the quality fo teaching and learners’ achievements.
17. Coordinate and provide opportunities for the teachers and learners to
improve their oral, reading, writing, listening and spelling skills in English and
other languages.
18. Assess and record the attainment of learners.
19. Monitor teacher and learner attendance.
20. Ensure that the learners’ behaviour is in accordance with the aims and code
of conduct of the school.
21. Ensure that learners’ appearance is in accordance with the standards set by
the school.
22. Co-ordinate and lead the work done by subject teachers / phase teachers.
23. Support subject teachers / phase teachers in all aspects of their work.
24. Sustain staff motivation.
25. Hold regular meetings with subject teachers / phase teachers where they can
share knowledge and skills in subject content and methodology and develop
and maintain suitable teaching materials.
26. Create an effective partnership with parents.
27. Contribute, as appropriate, to the teaching in the school.
28. Perform any other duty or responsibility that might be reasonably requested
by the principal under this element.

LEADING AND MANAGING THE STAFF

The Head of Department assists the principal in leading and managing the staff (see
duties of principal), and if instructed to, takes responsibility to:

29. Do performance apparaisal regularly (class visits) on the basis of the

prescribed criteria that leads to written plans for the professional
development of individual teachers.
30. Build trust, good morale and co-operation within the subject / phase group.
31. Address poor performance.
32. Account for the development of subject teachers, effective subject manage-ment and
the academic achievements in the subjects responsible for.
33. Give recognition for good work.
34. Consult staff members and co-ordinate their efforts to reach academic
targets.
35. Deal with staff sensitively and respond to feedback from staff.
36. Develop positive working relationships with, and between, all staff members.
37. Advise and guide the teaching staff in all educational issues.
38. Plan, evaluate and support the work of subject groups and other groups of
staff.
39. Resolve disputes and difficulties speedily and consistently.
40. Perform any other duty or responsibility that might be reasonably requested
by the principal under this element.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

The Head of Department takes full responsibility for professional staff development.
41. Own contribution. The Head of Department should:
 Lead by example and be committed to high ethical standards.
 Manage own time efficiently.
 Be visible, appropriate and earn respect.
 Take a firm stance and make decisions when circumstances warrant it.
 Deliver results on time and to agreed quality standards.
 See to it that the office layout indicates an attractive and active working
environment.
 Compile an own annual academic programme that demonstrates close
collaboration with the principal, other HOD’s and staff membersin own subject
group.
 Compile an own annual programme that demonstrates regular participation in
meetings, courses, cluster activities, workshops and extra-mural programmes
with teachers.
 Keep policy documents at hand and see to it that the content of such
documents is understood, applied and disseminated to teachers.
 See to it that normal school routine of teachers, especially teaching time, is not
disrupted by unscheduled meetings, telephone calls, unplanned announcements
or indiscipline.
 Set the tone for instructional leadership by being present, punctual and
performing teaching duties as required by the timetable.
 Act as leader in the absence of the principal.
 Work at own professional developmentby actively participating in perfromance
appraisal and keeping abreast of development in own subject / phase area.
42. Assist the principal in staff development, and:
 Co-ordinate and lead induction and probation programmes for newly
appointed teachers.
 Asssist the principal with induction and probation of newly appointed HOD’s.
 Appraise the performance of teachers in the subject / phase group (class visits)
on a regular basis and such appraisals lead to written plans for the professional
development of individual teachers.
  Encourage and motivate teachers to adhere to the guidelines in the Code of
Conduct for teachers.
 Give attention to the quality of teaching of subject / phase teachers through in-
service training.

EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT OF STAFF AND RESOURCES

The Head of Department assists the principal in effective deployment of staff and
resources (see duties of principal), and if instructed to, takes responsibility to:

43. Ensure that all staff understand their respective roles and responsibilities.
44. Deploy and develop the staff to make most effective use of their skills,
Expertise and experience.
45. Monitor the use and maintenance of resources.
46. Co-ordinate and lead the extra-mural activities of teachers.
47. Ensure that the extra-mural workload is equitably distributed among the staff.
48. Perform any other duty or responsibility that might be reasonably requested
by the principal under this element.

INTERACTION WITH STAKEHOLDERS

The Head of Department assists the principal in the interaction with stakeholders (see
duties of principal), and if instructed to, takes responsibility to:

49. Build mutually beneficial relationships with teachers, non-teaching staff and
parents.
50. Liais with neighbourhood and feeder schools and other education institutions
and establish transfer arrangements to facilitate movement of learners
between these schools and institutions.
51. Promote positively the image of the school and the profession.
52. Participate in community activities in connection with educational matters.
53. Ensure that the school fully participates in cluster activities.
54. Maintain contact with sports, social, cultural and community organisations.
55. Participate in ministerial and professional committees, seminars and courses.
56. Perform any other duty or responsibility that might be reasonably requested
by the principal under this element.

ADMINISTRATIVE

The Head of Department assists the principal in administrative work (see duties of
principal), and if instructed to, takes responsibility to:

57. Make regular inspections of the school to ensure that the school premises and equipment
are being used properly and that good discipline is being maintained.
58. Make special effort to ensure efficiency with regard to stocktaking, inventories,
textbooks, consumables and other resources.
59. Ensure the maintenance of the buildings, supplies and equipment.
60. Establish and maintain a sound financial budgetary control system in the
school.
61. Co-ordinate and encourage fund raising efforts.
62. Execute administrative tasks to agreed high standards of quality.
63. Ensure that every staff member in the subject / phase group has a job
description in writing which is based on the performance criteria for the
particular job category.
64. Provide relevant information and advice to the principal.
65. Perform any other duty or responsibility that might be reasonably requested
by the principal under this element.
66. Develop subject policies.
67. Control the implementation of the continuous assessment policy of the MoE.
A. JOB DESCRIPTION OF A TEACHER :

To engage in class teaching, including the academic, administrative, educational and disciplinary
aspects and to organise extra and co-curricular activities so as to ensure that the education of
the learners is promoted in a proper manner.

B. CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A TEACHER:

The duties and responsibilities of the teacher are individual and varied, depending on the
approaches and needs of the particular school, and include, but are not limited to, the
following. A teacher should:

PLANNING

1. Implement the philosophy, policies, objectives and academic targets of the

MoE and the school in the daily teaching programme.
2. Develop written lesson plans well in advance as part of planned learning experiences
to motivate learners.
3. Identify learning outcomes as knowledge/skills/attitudes/values as well as the
appropriate resources for a successful lesson.
4. Develop schemes of work that reflects appropriate subject syllabus content over a
period of a school year.
5. Identify learner needs and co-operate with other staff members in assessing and
helping learners to solve health, attitude and learning problems and in developing
their potential for learning.
6. Set and maintain high standards of classroom behaviour, subject management and
control.
7. Verify learning outcomes as consistent with subject targets.
8. Formulate teaching strategies to be consistent with learning outcomes.

TEACHING

9. Accept responsibility for quality teaching and the positive learning outcomes (acceptable
performance) of learners.
10. Set own demanding academic subject targets and guide learners to set their own realistic
and appropriate academic targets.
11. Employ a variety of teaching techniques and media consistent with the needs and
abilities of the learners and with the content or skills being taught.
12. Maintain a school atmosphere in class in which basic values are shared to the fullest
possible extent, and in which attainment of self-reliance, responsible behaviour and a
positive self-image are of prime importance.
13. Demonstrate basic concepts using models, chalk board, over-head projector and other
standard or teacher prepared teaching aids.
14. Provide learner-centred teaching to individuals and small groups in order to adapt the
curriculum to the needs of the learners with varying intellectual abilities, and to
accommodate a variety of teaching activities.
15. Communicate clearly and effectively with learners through questioning, instructing,
explaining and feedback and involve learners purposefully.
16. Make short cryptic notes on a neat blackboard to summarise the lesson.
17. Demonstrate a breadth and depth of subject knowledge extending beyond the grade /
phase.
18. Exploit opportunities to develop learners’ skills like numeracy reasoning, information
handling and oral, reading, writing, listening and spelling skills in English.
19. Consider and utilise the learners’ own experiences as a fundamental and valuable
resource - move from the known to the unknown (LCE).
20. Assume responsibility as a guidance resource for learners.
21. Design learning activities that will relate to the physical world.
22. Select textbooks and teaching materials in consultation with the HOD, and
maintain inventory records.
23. Manage his/her own and the learners’ time effectively and economically.
24. Design quality homework that plays a vital role in raising standards of
academic achievement.
25. Reflect productive involvement through his/her role and position during a
lesson or activity.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

26. Create a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate to

the maturity, interests and needs of the learners.
27. Establish and maintain standards of learner behaviour and discipline required
to provide an orderly and productive learning environment in the classroom.
28. Create, with the assistance from learners, a functional and attractive
environment for learning through using displays and bulletin boards and
assume learners to take responsibility for proper care and use of physical
equipment.
29. Establish a classroom environment which stimulates positive learning and
actively engages learners in the learning process.
30. See to it that the planned lesson demonstrates an effective introduction, aims
and setting of academic targets where applicable.
31. Employ all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect learners,
equipment, materials and property
32. Expect from himself / herself and from the learners to be present and punctual
in each class and to arrive and leave the class orderly.
33. Organise resources and make it accessible to all learners.
34. Keep and attendance register every day.
35. Keep a personal record file/subject file.
36. Attend regular subject meetings.
37. Promptly complete administrative tasks.

EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT

38. Operate at all times within the policies, including the continuous assessment
policy, of the MoE.
39. Recognise and reward achievement by learners.
40. Evaluate learners’ academic and social growth, keep accurate records,
prepare progress reports and communicate with parents on learner progress.
41. Set question papers and mark schemes for mastery tests, examination and
 revision according to the prescribed format and provides for a range of
learner capabilities.
42. Mark and monitor learners’ oral and written work and set targets for progress
and improvement.
43. Interpret and use test and examination results of learners for remedial work
and to improve specific aspects of teaching.
44. Monitor and provide appropriate advice and guidance to individual learner’s progress
in respect to attendance, homework, discipline and acceptable standards of conduct and
appearance.

EXTRA-MURAL INVOLVEMENT

45. Share in the responsibilities of organising and conducting at least one extra-mural activity
that is offered at the school.
46. Supervise learners in extra-mural activities and motivate them to participate.

GENERAL

47. Adhere to the guidelines set in the Code of Conduct for teachers.
48. Lead by good example and high ethical standards.
49. Set an example of being committed, well prepared, friendly, hard working,
consequent and approachable.
50. Work at own professional development and participate in programmes
organised to further enhance own knowledge and skills with regard to
subject/phase teaching.
51. Participate in cluster activities.
52. Assist the principal and HOD in establishing the school as a caring and disciplined
institution and a centre of learning.
53. Take responsibility for equipment and resources that are on the inventory.
54. Take responsibility for textbooks and other non-consumable items issued to learners,
and it includes regular inspection of such items for damage, loss or misuse and
reimbursement if necessary.
55. Build mutually beneficial relationships with teaching and non-teaching staff
and parents.
56. To contribute to the professional development of colleagues by sharing
knowledge, ideas and resources.
57. Perform any other duty or responsibility that might be reasonably requested
by the principal.
58. Respect authority.
A. RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SUBJECT HEAD

Subject Management entails Planning, Organising, Leading and Guiding and Monitoring
of subject matters.

PLANNING
 Maintain and update the following:
 the Subject File
 Administration Files
 Preparation Files
 the Question Paper bank
 Resource Files
 Establish and maintain:
 an Internal Subject Policy Guide for the subject
 compulsory written lesson preparation
 up to date schemes of work
 up to date year plans
 an assessment plan for the subject
 a textbook inventory
 Guide proper Subject Planning:
 assist the principal in creating a practical PAAI for the school
 assist the principal in setting performance target for the subject during
January
 assist individual teachers in setting personal performance targets accor-
ding to the school’ performance targets
 review and analyse the National Examination results
 identify the academic strengths and weaknesses of the school
 continually monitor academic progress in the subject
 Plan how to establish a conducive teaching and learning environment in each
classroom
 Assist the principal in subject allocation to teachers
 Identify needs for support from Advisory Teachers and arrange with the principal
 Study AT reports and Examination reports and implement recommend-
dations
 Identify financial needs and submit to the Budget committee
 Plan and implement compensatory teaching

ORGANISING
 Take full accountability for the academic performance of teachers and
learners
 Influence, enhance and sustain the academic performance of subject
teachers
 Establish effective communication within the subject
 Ensure that the most recent documents are available and in use (eg. Syllabi,
assessment policy, pass requirements, etc
 Conduct regular subject meetings (2 x per term)
 Ensure that sufficient textbooks and learning materials are available
 Create a positive working environment for the subject teachers
 Implement specific subject objectives derived from the PAAI. These
objectives are planned according to guidelines in the Regional Plan.

LEADING AND GUIDING

 The leadership role of the Subject Head comprises of influencing every
subject teacher to do his/her best in the classroom and achieve high
academic standards
 Guide the subject teachers:
* to implementation of the internal subject policy
* to develop a personal development plan (PDP)
* to become involved in in-service training
* to develop subject teaching aids
* in setting, moderating and marking of question papers
* to establish conducive teaching and learning circumstances in class
 Lead and guide the subject team to achieve the set improved academic performance
targets
 Defuse conflicts between subject teachers
 Ensure and guide the full implementation of the internal school subject policy
 Build a strong subject team, encourage teamwork and recognise good work
 Provide specialist assistance to the subject teachers in the subject
 Promote the image and status of the subject
 Serve as mentor to beginner teachers. Conduct an effective induction programme
for new subject teachers
 Provide school-based staff development programmes to the subject
teachers.

MONITORING
 Establish the minimum monitoring standards
 Moderate question papers, mark schemes and answer scripts
 Coordinate question papers of different teachers of the same grade
 Monitor the quantity and standard of CASS marks, written work, tests and tasks at
least once per term
 Conduct class visits in collaboration with the HOD
 Establish a disciplined teaching and learning environment in each classroom