Omani Head Teachers' Perspectives of Their Role in Improving Teachers’ Professional Learning in Centralized Educational System

Abstract

Head teachers’ role in school improvement is widely emphasized as being essential in shaping school culture and driving organizational change. However, in Oman, head teachers daily work can often focus on administrative issues rather than developing teachers’ practice. At the same time, the government now expects school heads to be more involved in improving teachers’ professional learning. This represents a major challenge for head teachers and the Ministry who operate in a highly centralized policy-making structure run by the Ministry of Education.

Keywords: Educational reforms, educational change, teachers' professional learning, head teachers, school improvement