ABSTRACT
Delegation is ‘the transfer of a task, or set of tasks, and the resources and responsibility to carry out the work from one person to another with appropriate professional support’ (Bell and Rhodes, 1996, p. 157). It serves two most important inter-related purposes. Firstly, delegation allows a headteacher to share appropriate tasks and responsibilities with others thus creating more time for school development planning and evaluation and for those activities that only he or she can do. Secondly, delegation has the potential to enable those to whom the work has been delegated to develop new skills and abilities thus contributing to their personal and professional development and career prospects. When this occurs delegation is a vehicle for empowerment. However, if the work delegated is not supported by adequate training, resources and mentoring, it is likely to be perceived as an additional burden and possible source of resentment.
