The Effect of School Principals on School Success

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine and reveal the contribution of school principals to the success of schools. In this qualitative research, a case study design was adopted and a specific situation was focused on. This research was conducted in schools that were decided to be successful based on the criteria of LGS and YKS success, parents' desire to enroll their students in the school, and high school success in general and regional trial exams. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers working in these schools to discuss the effect of the school principal on school success. In this context, data were collected from 7 successful schools in Konya province and 7 teachers working in different branches in these schools. As a data collection tool, a semi-structured interview form consisting of 5 open-ended questions developed by the researcher and prepared in consultation with a professor and a doctoral faculty member who are experts in the field was used. During the interview process, the data were recorded using a voice recorder and notes were taken by the researcher during the interview. The data collected in the study were analyzed by descriptive analysis. The participants stated that the use of humor by school principals provides flexibility, facilitates communication and increases the performance of employees in such an environment. They stated that in order to do this, the school principal should ensure cooperation and cohesion in the school and take into account the roles and expectations of the employees. They stated that the school principal should create an environment in which his/her employees will voluntarily participate and contribute to the success of the school and that he/she should share his/her powers with his/her employees instead of using all his/her powers purely legally. They stated that being well motivated and having a high level of morale leads to job satisfaction and that an individual in this situation will be more efficient by doing his/her job willingly.