Mapping principal preparation in Kenya and Tanzania

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the principal preparation programming available to school leaders in Kenya and Tanzania.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analyzed information about the educational leadership programmes offered by a range of public and private institutions in East Africa. Data were gathered primarily through document analyses based on publicly available information describing certificate, diploma, and degree programs related to principal preparation in Kenya and Tanzania.FindingsA description is offered of the intended client group for leadership preparation programmes along with an overview of programme content, structure, delivery modes, and credentialing. Gaps were noted in the areas of instructional leadership, educational technology, and visioning. Further, the authors noted the insufficient capacity of educational institutions in East Africa to prepare new principals or to offer ongoing professional development.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was limited to publicly available documents. There is a marked need for more detailed empirical reports of principal preparation in sub‐Saharan Africa.Practical implicationsThe suitability of the content of existing principal preparation programs warrants closer examination.Originality/valueThis report contributes to the understanding of principal preparation in sub‐Saharan Africa in terms of its capacity, content, and delivery modes.

Preparing novice principals in Australia and Turkey: How similar are their needs?

“…As Cowie and Crawford (2007) report, the ISPP aims to examine 'the utility of principal preparation programs for novice principals in our different contexts, the differences and the similarities, and see what lessons we can learn from each other ' (p. 129-130). So far, the ISPP reinforces findings from other studies about the large variation in principal preparation among countries (Karstanje and Webber 2008;Onguko et al 2008;Thody et al 2007;Wildy and Clarke 2008;Wildy et al 2007;Yan and Ehrich 2009).…”

Teacher Management: Emerging Issues in Kenya

“…Principals are traditionally appointed from serving deputy principals or assistant teachers without any specific leadership preparation or development (Kitavi & Van der Westtuizen, 1997). This method of selection has generated concerns on the basis that rapidly changing societal and education conditions requires the continuous development of staff to enable them acquire knowledge and skills necessary for their dynamic roles (Kindiki, 2009;Onderi & Croll, 2008;Onguko et al, 2008).…”

Tensions in leadership development: head teachers' experience in North Cyprus

“…we may justifiably view the enormous increase of interest in educational leadership development as a global phenomenon but it would be wrong to see such developments as being unidimensional and following the same trajectory around the globe. (Brundrett and Dering 2006, 90) Nevertheless, empirical studies of leadership development outside the US, Northern Europe and Australia are particularly limited (Dimmock and Walker 2005;Onguko, Abdalla, and Webber 2008). This article investigates leadership development for head teachers within the largely under-researched context of North Cyprus from the perspectives of serving head teachers.…”