Purpose: This study examines the intricate dynamics of Taiwan's Administrative Placement (AP) initiative, a headship preparation policy requiring aspiring principals to undertake placements within Local Education Bureaus (LEBs). Methods: Drawing on Foucault's concepts of governmentality and post-panoptic surveillance, this qualitative case study…

The purpose of this study was to explore and contextualize leadership development practices of secondary school principals in Oromia National Regional State using a parallel mixed research design. Data were collected from 48 principals and four education officials via questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis. Quantitative…

Purpose: Current school leadership research has primarily utilized quantitative methods to explore the relationship between leadership and teacher learning. However, there is a notable gap in understanding how principals facilitate professional learning, especially in centralized educational settings. This study aims to address this gap by…

This multi-case study examines the nature of supervisory practices embedded in the principal evaluation system that supervisors exercise with principals on a weekly basis. Data were collected during the 2018-2019 academic school year in the public schools of the United Arab Emirates. This study relied on several data collection methods, including…

The COVID-19 pandemic presented the world with many challenges -- some of which were unprecedented challenge for school leaders. The South African Department of Education (DoE) introduced a new threshold qualification, an Advanced Certificate in Education (School Leadership) (ACE), which was the first concrete step towards implementing a…

This paper critically reviews England's National Professional Qualification of Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL) and Sweden's National Principal Training Program (NPTP). The design and implementation of these programs are critiqued considering the process of professional learning, with view of offering recommendations for future policies on…

This work outlines the results from a study conducted to analyse the different management training programmes developed by Catalan universities, and the transfer of this training from the perspective of those who were trained and who later on took the position. The study was conducted through a sequential and explanatory mixed method, through the…

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is increasingly recognized as a critical topic in today's educational landscape. This is because contemporary education outcomes need to equip students for the demands of 21st-century jobs. In this context, the role and strategic actions of school principals emerge as critical…

This article offers insights into the challenges and complexities of accredited national professional learning programmes that are collaboratively designed, led, and delivered. The article is framed within theoretical perspectives concerning large-scale system change, highlighting the importance of inter-professional relationships and joint work…

The exploration of leadership within the educational domain has been a longstanding pursuit. Research consistently establishes a connection between the effectiveness of schools and the quality of leadership. This qualitative study aimed to delve into the experiences of secondary school principals, particularly in the context of a volatile,…

Looking at opportunities for learning during moments of chaos and disequilibrium can lead to the understanding of contingency as a resource for learning. Internationally, the pandemic enabled new ways of learning-practice and has had important implications for the learning and development of teachers and of school leaders. In this paper, we aim to…

The constant challenge of managing uncertainty makes the professional development of school principals increasingly important. School improvement is unlikely to happen without qualified school leaders who continuously work on their professional development. This article explores professional development of school principals in Kazakhstan. Data…

This study examines current approaches to professional development (PD) for school leaders in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia. While PD programs indicate significant progress, school leadership remains in an early stage of development. The findings highlight the need for national policy commitments to ensure long-term sustainability. The challenge is…

This research aimed to examine school principals' perceptions and practices during the COVID-19 period through the perspective of school leaders' agency and proactive coping role when facing adversity and crisis. For this purpose, we interviewed 60 principals of elementary, middle, and high schools. Interview analysis yielded five categories of…

This study reports on the professional development and school leadership programmes requested by principals in Malaysian schools. A total of 557 principals provided feedback on their preferred school leadership and professional development programmes which they believed as essential to be effective school leaders. Based on their feedback,…