Principals' instructional leadership practices

Abstract

This chapter commences with an overview of the literature on instructional leadership in Malaysia and outlines subsequently details of the methodology, followed by a discussion of the findings. Principals would like to lead their schools according to their personal norms and values (ideals) as opposed to just following the school leadership practices directed by the Ministry of Education (realities). The chapter shows that principals were found to understand the concept of effective school leadership through direct training from the principals' institute, and indirect learning in their schools. The school principals embed the aspirations of the Blueprint into their own school goals and communicated the school goals daily to their school communities. In Malaysia, the Ministry Education centralizes their curriculum planning before cascading down to the school principals for coordination and execution of policies. The most distinct function of instructional leadership highlighted by the principals is providing professional development.