Tomorrow's schools for today's principals : the changing role of the primary principal in the central south district of New Zealand in 1990

Abstract

This study examines the effects of the educational changes on the role of primary principals in the Central South District. It traces the historical background to reform from the 1877 Education Act through to the passing of the 1989 Education Act. The study also examines the changing role of the primary principal over the last thirty years with the backdrop of increasing societal pressures for reform. A questionnaire was sent to all primary principals in the Central South District during July 1990. The purpose was to ascertain the effect of the changes of "Tomorrow's Schools" within the first year on primary principals. The questionnaire was followed by a series of five interviews with key personnel involved with primary principals. The analysis shows that there had been an tremendous increase in the workload and stress on primary principals. This reasons for this are discussed. Analysis is also made of the positive and negative factors which principals identified as part of the changes brought about through "Tomorrow's Schools". Gender and size of school factors were also examined to see if they caused different responses. The thesis presents a report of the interviews with key personnel involved with primary principals, and discussing their findings in relation to the findings from the questionnaire.