Challenges Facing Principals in the First Year at Their Schools

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify key challenges of practice that principals face. In line with this purpose, the researcher has employed a qualitative research methodology, interviewing principals working in Amasya district, over and above doing document analysis to collect detailed information concerning leadership and administration practice. After analyzing the collected data, the researcher has found that most participant principals have complained about their profession; therefore, they are more likely to leave their occupation. Furthermore, the principals have reported that they have faced the following challenges in schools: 1) violence, 2) families’ negative attitudes towards school, 3) immigrant students/families from Syria and Iraq, 4) teacher unions (syndicalism), 5) teachers’ attitudes and behaviors to principals, and 6) increasing of undesired behaviors in classroom/school. In the light of the above findings, the researcher has concluded that working as a principal in a school is more difficult than before. However, for the future of Turkey, Turkish policymakers, researchers, and educators should work together to minimize the negative impact of challenges and keep principals in the Turkish Education System.