Principals in the Center of Diversity: Effects of Societal and Cultural Changes in Finnish Education

• In Event: International Perspectives on Leadership

Abstract

This paper describes principals’ understanding and attitudes towards diversity in changing society, challenges and opportunities they experience in their school communities. In relation to diversity issues skills related to supporting increasingly diverse school communities are recognized using qualitative content analysis as method in analyzing three interviews. In the analysis three categories were formed: diversity of the pupils, diversity of the school personnel and change in leadership practices. The study identifies three challenges which can undermine leadership in diverse school environments.

Authors

• Anita Hannele Jantunen, University of Helsinki

• Tuuli Lipiäinen, University of Helsinki

• Arto Juha Viljami Kallioniemi, University of Helsinki