An exploration of role and perceptions of public school principals in the city of Saida

النوع : Mémoire

This study is an exploration of the role and perceptions of public school--principals in the city of Saida. It seeks to provide data about the role and the--responsibilities as perceived by 16 public school principals and the factors that shape--this role and perception. Data were collected during fifteen weeks of interviews with--the 16 principals and another eight weeks of interviews with their superiors in the--Ministry of Education and the Educational Inspectorate. The interviews were designed--in a structured format to reveal the participants' subjective experiences. Other sources--of data were used: documentary analysis of the laws and the regulations applicable to--principals, questionnaires to collect biographic information on the principals and on--their schools, and field notes recording observations during visits to schools. The results--included: a) a demographic profile of the principals and their schools, b) the principals'--responsibilities as stated in the regulations, c) the principals' perceptions about their role--and about the personal and professional qualifications needed for the principalship, and--d) the actual problems that principals face. The study provided the following results:--the principals are viewed as the main persons responsible for the school, as the--supervisors over all the employees of the school, as being successful teachers, as--having complex and time-consuming jobs, and as problem-solver . In addition, the--problems that principals face while on the job were: financial problems, difficulties--with teachers , insufficient decision-making power, difficulties dealing with students--and parents, political interference educational policies which are not relevant to--their work. Finally, the study provided certain recommendations that could improve--the work of the principals in general. These recommendations are related to policy--formulation, principals' training, teachers' evaluation and recruitment, and--renovation of school buildings.