The Role of the School Principal as an Educational Leader
Abstract
The Role of Principal being an Educational leader is both complex and multidimensional. If principals are to take the role of Educational leader seriously, they will have to free themselves from bureaucratic tasks and focus their efforts towards improving teaching, learning and other Administrative work. Educational improvement is an important goal, a goal worth seeking, and a goal when implemented, allows both students and teachers to control their own destiny in making a more meaningful School environment.
To achieve this quest, it takes more than a strong principal with concrete ideas and technical expertise. It requires a redefinition of the role of principals, one that removes the barriers to leadership by eliminating bureaucratic structures and reinventing relationships.
In short, the dramatically different role of the principal as an Educational leader is outlined, To build a community of teachers and learners; sharing decision making; sustaining the basics; leveraging time; supporting ongoing professional development for all staff members; redirecting resources to support a multifaceted school plan; and creating a climate of integrity, inquiry and continuous improvement. References:
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Dr. Rajesh Rathod
Introduction
Educational Leadership is extremely complex. Educational Leadership can be madness or it can make a contribution to improve our schools. It can be a frantic effort to fix everything or it can be concentration on a few important items. It can be a futile exercise of power or it can empower individuals to help themselves. In the face of dramatic social change, a troubled sea of governance conflict, and excessive demands being made on schools, it can be said that one who aspires to school Leadership must either be mad or a supreme egoist.
Leadership is motivating and inspiring people to create a clear vision and to strive to achieve it.
According to Chandrasekhar and Sinha (2009),
“Some one who acts as a guide?”
Accordingly the principal is the leader of a school or a college, to guide for Quality development. In other words the Idea of the Leader as a coach and coordinator ensures flow of directions.
The main aspect of the leadership role in Education is to encourage and empower teachers, to give then the maximum opportunity to improve the learning their students. The Effective Educational leadership uses a Quality based approach. School leadership relies on the empowerment of teachers and other who are involved in the teaching learning process. They give more power to act and greater autonomy in almost everything to do. It requires unending enthusiasm and devotion for quality development.
For the Quality development we need certain types of Educational Leadership and Qualities of Leaders in principals or supervisor as well as teachers of our school, college or institute.
Problem of the study
The Role of the School Principal as an Educational Leader
Objectives of the study
The main objectives of the study were...
Questions under the study
Significance of the study
The basic aim of the study was to know the role of principal as an Educational Leader for developing Quality of Education in schools as well as in Educational institutes and to enhance Quality of Education with Educational leadership. If we want to develop Quality of Education, we must create effective Educational leadership in our institutional leaders. If we identify Qualities of Educational leader and then develop it. Our Educational Quality is increased stepwise. If our Educational leaders, principals are effective then our Education develops faster and we achieve our goals speedily.
Sample of the study
The populations of this study were the principals of the higher secondary school. A sample of 100 principals of higher secondary schools of Surat district was selected using the Random sampling technique.
Tools
Researcher used an open ended questionnaire. This was given to principals who were selected as a sample. This questionnaire has 5 open ended questions.
The open ended questionnaire was used to obtain information from the selected sample. The greatest advantage of the open ended questionnaire is its relatively low cost and its ability to secure information from large number of sample in short time.
Research Methodology
This study was a survey type of research. Survey has undoubtedly been the most popular and the most widely used research method in Education. Survey is very useful in doing what it is designed to do. That is in getting descriptive data which people can provide from their own experiences. Respondents can give their views freely. It normally gives information which is easily interpreted by qualitative analysis.
Results of the study
There are lots of barriers/ hurdles which come in the way of the principal or to develop an institute.
Principal meets staff members on a regular basis to discuss their work - together, they try to solve problem, reflect on their jobs and take responsibility for what students learn.
In short, principal as an Educational Leader, Takes action or delegates to others to promote growth of students learning and achieve Quality of Education.
Hurdles / Barriers
Conclusion
The task of the principal being an Educational leader is bath complex and multidimensional. If principals believe that growth in student learning is the primary goal of schooling, then it is a task worth learning. If a principal possesses the necessary knowledge and qualities, he or she is likely to become an effective leader sharing, facilitating and guiding decisions about Educational improvement for the betterment of students’ Education.
Besides having knowledge in the core areas of Education, the principal must possess certain qualities to carry out tasks of an Educational leader. Principal have different skills like Interpersonal skills, observation skills, skill in Research and Evaluation. Interpersonal relationships are essential for the success of a principal. These are qualities that maintain trust, motivation, give empowerment and enhance congeniality. Teachers are involved in planning, designing and evaluating Educational programmes. They promote sharing, co-operation and collaboration in which both the principal and teachers talk about teaching and learning.
Principals must have qualities to research and evaluation as they determine the success of Educational programmes, initiated. One of the most essential qualities would be the ability to conduct action research.
Assistant Professor,
Bhagvan Mahavir College of Education, Vesu,
Bharthana, SURAT.
E-mail: raja3822@yahoo.co.in
(M) +919426854534
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