Nongovernmental Organization Involvement in Education Policy: Principals' Voices

• In Event: Whose in Charge? Peripheral Governance in Education Policy Making

Abstract

NGOs have been involved in academic programs in many Western countries, actively participating and reshaping policy implementation. This study explored the perceptions of principals regarding the NGO involvement in designing and implementing education policy in Israel. We applied a qualitative research method, conducting in-depth interviews with primary school principals of schools with low socioeconomic student populations. Inductive data analysis revealed three major themes: (a) Intersectoral partnership policies in education; (b) policy re-examining mutual responsibility for education; (c) the benefit of NGO engagement in education. This study provides theoretical contributions and practical implications of NGO involvement in designing and implementing education policies from the perspective and function of school principals in this era of ever-changing economic and social reality in education.

Authors

• Yarden Gali, Talpiot College of Education

• Chen Schechter, Bar-Ilan University