Secondary school principals as change agents in Kuwait : Principals’ perspectives

Journal article


Alsharija, Mohammed and Watters, James J.. (2021). Secondary school principals as change agents in Kuwait : Principals’ perspectives. Educational Management, Administration & Leadership. 49(6), pp. 883-903. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143220925090
AuthorsAlsharija, Mohammed and Watters, James J.
Abstract

Kuwait is seeking to diversify its sources of income by modernizing the education system and providing its young people with the knowledge and skills needed for life in the 21st century. To this end, it is constantly trying to improve the whole educational system by introducing developmental projects and policies. Central to this process is the role played by school principals. However, contextual issues and challenges have limited the success of these initiatives. The present study investigates how secondary school principals describe their role as change agents and what supports they need as change agents. Therefore, the study has investigated in some depth the views and concerns of a group of secondary school principals about this role and the challenges associated with the implementation of change. The findings reveal four major demands from the participants, namely, (1) enhance planning practices (2) build trust with the educators, (3) autonomy/decentralization and (4) restructuring schools. The study suggests that the current change strategy adopted should be revised to include appropriate procedures and supports. The recommendations proposed here could provide support to principals, considered here as implementers, and could contribute to the guidance of neighbouring countries, which are also undergoing major educational changes. It is hoped that other developing countries may benefit from by learning about the change strategy investigated in this research.

KeywordsKuwait; policy; development project; school principal; change; implementation strategy; leadership; secondary school
Year2021
JournalEducational Management, Administration & Leadership
Journal citation49 (6), pp. 883-903
PublisherSage Publications Ltd.
ISSN1741-1432
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143220925090
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85085508318
Page range883-903
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online18 May 2020
Publication process dates
Deposited18 Aug 2021
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