Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the new regulations and current practices in terms of how they apply- to the selection, training and instatement of school administrators in Turkey. The successful implementation of Turkish National Development Plans is closely related to the knowledge and skills of managers working at various levels in every part of Turkish society. The success of government iniatives in all areas depends on social, economic and political developments. The selection and empoyment of school administrators is a problematic area in Turkey. As the motto 'What really matters in this profession is teaching' is increasingly adopted, school principals are selected from amongst teaching staff and serious efforts are made in training them. However, political concerns and favoritism remain leading factors in selection and placing of principals, rather than their own competence. This study was designed as a qualitative one. 30 principals working in different pre-schools, primary schools, secondary schools and high schools participated. A semi-structured interview form developed by the researcher was used in data collection. The study demonstrates that, principals who had generally positive attitudes to new regulations and the current practices for employing school managers emphasized the institutional changes involved and claimed that such change was inevitable. Administrators with negative attitudes about the aforementioned regulations, however, suggested that the new regulations were related to the  dismissal of former principals. They also claimed that the regulations were a violation of 'vested rights', that the criteria for success and failure were not clearly defined, and that they had led to disillustion. In addition, principals who were not in favor of the regulation stated their concern that not competence but rather political favoritism was the determining factor in the employment of principals, and that this bias, paved the way for the ‘favored ones’- was a big concern. This study concludes that, there are serious problems in the selection and instatement of school principals in Turkey.

Key words: School, principal, selection, training, instatement, empoyment, process, Turkey.