Principal’s learning-centred leadership practices and teacher’s wellbeing: a self-determination theory perspective

ABSTRACT

This study examines the role of learning-centred leadership practices of school principals towards the fulfilment of teachers’ basic psychological needs, which, in turn, predict the wellbeing of teachers. The data was collected from 1124 teachers from 37 primary and secondary schools in Riyadh province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to test the hypothetical relationships. The results affirmed the significant effect of school principals’ learning-centred leadership practices on teacher wellbeing via the fulfilment of teachers’ basic psychological needs. The findings provide important insights into how learning-centred school leadership can provide a school environment that would ensure the positive wellbeing of teachers, which, in turn, would lead to better academic achievement of students.

KEYWORDS:

• Learning-centred leadership
• school principal
• educational leadership
• teacher Wellbeing
• Saudi Arabia
• school leadership

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alfayez Abdulaziz Alfayez

Alfayez is an Associate Professor in Educational Administration Department, College of Education, King Saud University. He was Vice Dean for Development & Quality in the Collage of Education four years ago and consultant in the Ministry of Education now. His research interest included teaching and learning in schools and higher education, educational leadership, and quality and development at universities.

Mohammad Noman

Mohammad Noman is an Assistant Professor of Education Leadership and the coordinator of the EdD program at Wenzhou-Kean University in China. His research interests include educational leadership and adult pedagogy.

Abdulaziz Saeed Alqahtani

Alqahtani is professor of educational leadership at King Khalid University, Director of the Center for Quality and Excellence Advisor for Training and Consulting, Member of the Technical and Vocational Training Advisory Council, Asir Region. He has worked as a Dean of Academic Development and Quality, Supervisor of the Systems Quality Assurance Unit, Administration at King Khalid University, and the supervisor of the Organizational Development Unit. 

Anas Ibrahim Altuwaijri

Altuwaijri is an assistant professor at Educational Administration Department - College of Education- King Saud University. He served as the chair of department for two years and the director of Educational Center for Professional Development for four years. His research interest is in Leadership, Training, Quality and Excellence.

Amrita Kaur

Amrita Kaur is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Wenzhou-Kean University in China. Her research interests include teaching, learning, and assessment in higher education, students as partners, learning motivation and engagement, and cross-cultural studies for learning.