Exploration of Deployment, Training and Supervision of Paraprofessionals in Education
Thivhavhudzi Muriel Badugela 
Issue: Vol.6 No.3 Issue Article 2 pp. 262-273
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2025632 | Published online 5th March, 2025
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This study explored how paraprofessionals are deployed, prepared, and supervised in South African schools and aimed to identify effective practices in these areas as perceived by paraprofessionals. Paraprofessionals, introduced through the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative, have become integral in supporting teaching and learning by assisting teachers in and outside classrooms, easing educators’ workloads and fostering personalised teaching approaches. However, the study found that their deployment, preparation, and supervision were inadequate, mainly due to the rapid and unplanned nature of their introduction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a qualitative methodology within an interpretive research paradigm, data were collected through focus group interviews and observations targeting purposively selected school paraprofessionals. Thematically, the analysis revealed significant gaps in the training provided to paraprofessionals and inadequate preparation of school managers to train and supervise these individuals effectively. The study recommends structured training programs for paraprofessionals, ongoing professional development, and targeted support for school managers to enhance their supervisory roles. Interventions are crucial to maximising the value of paraprofessionals to the education system. The study contributes to scholarship on educational support by highlighting the critical need for strategic planning and resource allocation to integrate paraprofessionals into schools. It underscores the potential of well-prepared paraprofessionals to significantly improve teaching and learning outcomes in South African schools.
Keywords: Deployment, Training, Supervision, Paraprofessionals
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Dr. Thivhavhudzi Muriel Badugela
Since joining the University of Venda, Muriel has lectured on the Sociology of Education and Curriculum studies. Muriel attended National and international conferences, presenting papers. Muriel published book chapters and papers in peer-reviewed journals. Before joining the university, she taught at a secondary school for 28 years and worked as a Principal at Tshiluwi Primary School. Since 2018, Muriel has been a Lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education. Qualifications: STD-Makhado, B.A-Unisa, Bed Hons-Northwest, Med- Curriculum Studies Unisa, ACE- English, Technology Education -Unisa, Travel &Tourism -SACTE; PhD-African studies _Univen.
Badugela, Thivhavhudzi Muriel. “Exploration of Deployment, Training and Supervision of Paraprofessionals in Education,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 6, no.3 (2025): 262-273. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2025632
© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
