The role of academic middle managers in the planning and implementation of curriculum change in private higher education institutions in Botswana

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the role of academic middle managers (AMMs) in the planning and implementation of curriculum change in private higher education institutions in Botswana. This study employed a mixed methods research approach which utilised a structured questionnaire and a semi-structured interview guide to gather data on AMMs‟ role in the planning and implementation of curriculum change in PHEIs in Botswana. SPSS version 21 was used for analysing quantitative data while thematic analysis was used for analysing qualitative data on the role of AMMs in the planning and implementation of curriculum change in PHEIs. The study showed that the role of AMMs in the planning and implementation of curriculum change in PHEIs was too complex and demanding because they spent most of their time on daily administrative routines instead of on core academic activities such as planning and implementing curriculum change in their departments. The AMMs in the PHEIs under study operated more like managers in academic departments than academics in management. As a result the study showed that AMMs faced more challenges than opportunities in their planning and implementation of curriculum change in PHEIs. The major challenges AMMs faced in the planning and implementation of curriculum change were a highly controlled and strict work environment, role conflict, lack of autonomy, role strain and heavy workloads which limited the time AMMs spent on the core business of managing curriculum change in their departments. The study also highlighted some of the strategies albeit a few, which, despite the numerous challenges AMMs faced, are used to try and make the planning and implementation of curriculum change by AMMs was to some extent successful. The study provided insight on the influence of AMMs biographical characteristics as well as the influence of AMM job requirements (such as having a detailed job description and having authority over curriculum matters) on how AMMs enacted their role in curriculum change. Based on the results of the study, a model to assist AMMs in the effective planning and implementation of curriculum change was proposed.