Subject Advisors’ Understanding of their Curriculum Leadership Roles for Mathematics Improvement in South African Schools

The study aimed to investigate the curriculum leadership role of Mathematics subject advisors in enhancing Mathematics education in South Africa. Using a case study design, seven Mathematics subject advisors and ten Mathematics educators were sampled from all seven districts of the Free State province. Data collection methods included in-depth semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis. Data analysis followed Tesch’s (1990) eight-step coding technique. The field study revealed that Mathematics subject advisors’ leadership roles encompassed providing support and guidance to educators, conducting educator appraisals, monitoring and overseeing educators’ and learners’ workbooks, mentoring, and professional development. They also handled administrative tasks findings like resource provision and paperwork using monitoring tools. While all subject advisors aimed to improve Mathematics achievement, their approaches varied. Some reviewed past strategies while others adapted based on resource availability. Individual educational philosophies also influenced their strategies. Moreover, subject advisors operate within a network that includes principals, educators, learners, and the broader context. Effective curriculum leadership depends on these interactions. Interestingly, none of the subject advisors claimed comprehensive knowledge of their subject area. Some lacked specialization in Mathematics or related fields in which they were operating. Many expressed a need for training, particularly in managing and supporting progressed learners. These findings suggest the need for a standardized model to guide leadership training for Mathematics subject advisors. Such a model could enhance curriculum leadership, thereby improving teaching practices and student performance. Future research could use these insights to develop this model. Keywords: Curriculum Leadership, Subject Advisors, Mathematics, Curriculum, Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), Cognitive Theory