SELECTION PROCESS FOR PRINCIPALS IN NORTHERN PAKISTAN: KEY ISSUES AND NEW DIRECTIONS

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the key issues in the principal recruitment and selection process in Northern Pakistan and propose a model to improve the policy and practice. Design/methodology/approach - The study was qualitative involving face to face interviews with principals, policy makers and selectors to identify key influencing factors in the selection and appointment of school principals. The perceptions of principals and other stakeholders involved in the recruitment and selection process of individuals as school principals were seen important to identify area of improvement in the current recruitment and selection process. More specifically the study focused on the selection process in school system in the country to suggest an improved model. Findings - reveal that more inclusive and transparent selection processes are needed to be evolved to select appropriate persons as principals and school leaders. A model is proposed to address issues related to the recruitment and selection process. Practical implications- Principals play a central role in the overall development of schools and teaching-learning process. Appropriate principal selection is crucial to improve over all school performance. The paper discusses how the recruitment and selection process could be improved in the light of perceptions of key stakeholders. Originality/value – Research into exploring principal selection and recruitment process is nonexistent in the context of a developing country such as Pakistan. This research informs not only inform about the current practices and paradigm, but attempts to provide future directions for redefining the principal selection process and related policy making, when applied to aspirants, candidates and incumbents in the system.