Exploring pedagogical leadership in early years education in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The empirical research for this paper was undertaken with leaders of early years setting in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The investigation sought to establish to what extent it was possible to behave in line with the concept of pedagogical leadership in the twenty-first century in an Arab Muslim monarchy, dominated by Islam, where directive leadership and control by the state has been the traditional norm. Education in KSA is now subject to reform, however, with leadership roles and responsibilities becoming a key issue and the early years sector being one of the major targets for development.

Keywords:

• leadership
• management
• early years education
• Saudi Arabia

Notes on contributors

Lubna Alameen was a doctoral candidate at the University of Hull at the time this research was conducted. She is now a Lecturer at the Princess Noura University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Trevor Male was a co-supervisor for Lubna's PhD at the time the research was conducted. He is now a Research Associate at the UCL Institute of Education.

Ioanna Palaiologou was a co-supervisor for Lubna's PhD at the time the research was conducted. She is now re-training as a Clinical Psychologist.