Principal Leadership Challenges in Schools and Colleges in Bangladesh: A Case Study

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VI, June 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Principal Leadership Challenges in Schools and Colleges in Bangladesh: A Case Study

Mohammed Zaber Hossain

Principal, Nirjhor Cantonment Public School & College, Dhaka Cantonment, Bangladesh

Abstract: – Principal leadership being the single most important factor for school effectiveness and academic performance is a much talked about issue in the world perspective. But, in Bangladesh, the field is yet to be explored. In this article, a study was carried out to identify principal leadership challenges in schools and colleges in Bangladesh. A qualitative study represented by a case study revealed the leadership challenges principals in schools and colleges in Bangladesh are facing. Ten principals were selected for an interview to prepare this case study. The principals were selected on the merit of eight years’ Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate Examination (HSC) results from a total of 1226 combined schools and colleges in Bangladesh. Moreover, this was a part of a bigger study where two quantitative surveys were conducted. In addition to that, the author’s personal experience working as a principal for last seven years in two renowned Public School and College gave an insight into this study. The findings of the study showed that principals in schools and colleges in Bangladesh have limited training, understanding and scope of practicing leadership. The challenges they face mostly emanated from the top-down authoritarian attitude and practice in educational administration that curved their leadership and pushed them to settle in management. In the national and global context, educational requirements have been changed. In the face of the growing demands, principals are fighting at both the end. On one hand, their leadership is not acknowledged. On the other hand, they are asked to fulfill the educational demands of the stakeholders. At this backdrop, principals’ predicaments coupled with the traditional educational and administrative challenges cause education in Bangladesh, especially in schools and colleges, suffer.

Key Words: Principal, Principal leadership, Principal leadership challenges, Schools and Colleges in Bangladesh.

I. INTRODUCTION

Leadership of a principal is the single most important factor that influences the school effectiveness. It is his or her leadership that sets the tone of the school, the climate for learning, the level of teacher professionalism and morale, and the degree of concern for what students may or may not become (Zame et al, 2008).

Read More