Experienced Kindergarten Principals’ Resignation During Leadership Turnover of a Preschool Education Coordinator: From a Micropolitical Perspective

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: School Effectiveness and School Improvement Round Table #2 (Table 11)

Abstract

The Hong Kong early childhood education (ECE) system is primarily guided by corporate governance model. Many studies put principals as the unquestionable authority in affecting teacher leadership and teaching practice. Yet they have neglected the links between principalship and corporate governance of kindergartens and childcare centers in this unique educational system. The study focuses on how a preschool education coordinator (PEC) of a non-governmental organization under corporate governance affects ECE principals’ choice of resignation, using concepts from micro-political theory. The study contributes to our locality-specific understanding of how PECs influence principals’ leadership practice in the market-driven context of ECE. The study also provides a useful reference for international audiences, particularly those interested in ECE leadership development and human resources management.

Authors

• Sally Wai-Yan Wan, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

• Suzannie Kit-Ying Leung, The Chinese University of Hong Kong