parents and principals as partners in creating a culture of learning

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farming or some or other trade. The principals and the parents have their own
distinctive knowledge and skills to contribute to each other's understanding of how
best to help children in their education (Wolfendale (ed.), 1989:4). These parties
pool their abilities/skills for the sake of mutually supporting each other in respect
of educative teaching of the same children (Munnik & Swanepoel, 1990:81).
(5) Accountability
Accountability refers to the educator's (parent/principal) duty to give an account
of having executed his task of educating the child in terms of set criteria and
determined standards - in other words, whether the task of educating the child has
been satisfactorily completed (Wolfendale (ed.), 1989:64-66). In spite of the fact
that the parents delegate some oftheir authority and responsibility to the principal,
the parents remain primarily responsible and accountable for the education of their
children. The fact that parents are empowered legally to delegate certain rights
and duties to the principal, renders the principal accountable to the parents and to
the parent community (Prinsloo & Beckmann, 1995:42-43; Munnik & Swanepoel,
1990:81; Van der Westhuizen (ed.), 1995:173). Accountability involves the
development of a common purpose or mission among the parents and the
principals, with clear, mutually agreed and understood responsibilities.
(Department of Education, 1995:22).
The above theory forms the foundation on which this study is based.
1.5 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The aims of this study are:
* To pursue a study of relevant literature on parents and principals as
partners in creating a culture of learning.