UNVEILING THE CHALLENGES OF STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP: PERSPECTIVES FROM MALAYSIAN RURAL SCHOOL LEADERS

Authors

  • Nur Diyana Zakariah
  • Muhammad Faizal A. Ghani
  • Norfariza Mohd Radzi
  • Amirul Fahmie Abdul Razak

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13218455

Keywords:

Strategic Leadership Rural Education School Leaders Leadership Challenges

Abstract

This article explores the strategic leadership challenges rural school leaders encounter in Malaysia. Utilizing a qualitative methodology using interviews on three rural school leaders as participants was applied to obtain an in-depth understanding of their experiences. Data from interviews were subsequently analyzed thematically. The qualitative analysis reveals detailed descriptions of the challenges faced by these leaders, categorized into three primary factors: school factor, teacher factor, and student factor. Five themes emerged as key challenges to strategic leadership in rural schools: (i) the absence of ICT infrastructure and equipment, (ii) insufficient professionalism among school leaders, (iii) the influence of parental and community factors, (iv) teacher attitudes, and (v) student personalities.  These findings contribute to the broader discourse on strategic leadership in education, with a specific focus on primary and secondary levels in rural settings. By illuminating the multifaceted challenges faced by rural school leaders, this study offers valuable insights for policymakers, educational practitioners, and researchers aiming to improve leadership effectiveness and educational outcomes in rural areas.

Author Biographies

Nur Diyana Zakariah

Faculty of Education, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Muhammad Faizal A. Ghani

Faculty of Education, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Norfariza Mohd Radzi

Faculty of Education, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Amirul Fahmie Abdul Razak

Faculty of Education, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Published

2024-09-01

How to Cite

Nur Diyana Zakariah, Muhammad Faizal A. Ghani, Norfariza Mohd Radzi, & Amirul Fahmie Abdul Razak. (2024). UNVEILING THE CHALLENGES OF STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP: PERSPECTIVES FROM MALAYSIAN RURAL SCHOOL LEADERS. Journal of Contemporary Social Science and Education Studies (JOCSSES) E-ISSN- 2785-8774, 4(2), 21–35. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13218455