The skills and knowledge needed for principals in Qatar’s independent schools: policy makers’, principals’ and teachers’ perspectives

ABSTRACT

Research indicates that principals play a significant role in schools influencing student achievement and teacher effectiveness. This is particularly true in times of educational reform. Qatar has been engaging in a significant educational reform since 2004. This study examines the knowledge and skills needed for effective principals from the perspectives of policy makers, principals and teachers working in Qatar’s independent schools. Interviews with 3 policy makers, 21 principals and 82 teachers in focus groups indicated the knowledge and skills needed by principals are already embedded in the National Professional Standards for School Leaders but participants indicated a concern as to the degree these are implemented by principals in Qatar’s schools. More importantly, a large majority of all participants specified a need for principals to develop leadership knowledge and skills regarding working with diverse faculty, students and parents. Recommendations based on these findings are provided in order to develop more effective principals in the context of Qatar’s independent schools.

Acknowledgments

This publication was made possible by a National Priorities Research Program Grant [No. 80055001] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation). The contents herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. It is important to note that since the completion of this research, Qatar’s independent schools are now called Government Schools, the name used prior to the educational reform.

2. The Supreme Education Council was changed back to the original institute, the Ministry of Education in 2016.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Qatar Foundation’s National Priorities Research Program [Grant No. 80055001].

Notes on contributors

Michael H. Romanowski

Michael H. Romanowski, is a Professor in the College of Education at Qatar University. He also serves as the Coordinator of the Graduate Programs in the Department of Educational Sciences.

Hissa Sadiq

Hissa Sadiq, is the former Dean of the College of Education and a Professor in the College of Education at Qatar University.

Abdullah M. Abu-Tineh

Abdullah M. Abu-Tineh, is a Professor in the College of Education at Qatar University and the Director of the National Center for Educational Development.

Abdou Ndoye

Abdou Ndoye, is an Associate Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at Qatar Unviersity.

Mofeed Aql

Mofeed Aql, is a Professional Development Specialist in Leadership in the National Center for Educational Development.