All researchers and prospective researchers who want to conduct research in the KZNDoE institutions must apply and obtain approval before commencing any research activity.
The approval process ensures that learners and departmental staff are protected at all times from physical, psychological and other forms of harm, the integrity of learning and working is maintained at all institutions and research provides benefits for school communities and education in KwaZulu-Natal.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (KZNDOE) encourages research, which is in the best interest of education and will consider any meaningful research project in this regard. The department therefore supports the conducting of high quality research that enables the department to make evidence based policy decisions, and to enhance delivery of quality education to our learners.
The department has developed Procedures and Guidelines for Conducting Research and KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education Institutions that are aimed at assisting prospective researchers in preparation for application to conduct research in the departmental institutions. The intended end-users for the guidelines includes academic and research staff, tertiary students, independent research agencies, employees of the department and other members of the community wishing to conduct research with the department.
Researchers are encouraged to focus their research activities around the priority areas spelt out by the National and Provincial as well as those of the KZNDoE. Approval is more likely to be given to those projects which align with the current priorities of the department, and have minimal impact on operational aspects of schooling.
Researchers!! Note!! The application for permission to conduct the proposed research must be submitted by the researcher/s or project leader at least three months (or more) in advance. The timeframe for the approval process is not guaranteed.
