High school department heads as change agents in the educational reform process in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The implementation of educational reform in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) imposes a change agent role for secondary school department heads. As the concept of teacher empowerment becomes accepted, some department heads have the ability to develop a professional learning community while others are unable to do so. The present study considers the role of the department head as a change agent facilitating the implementation of educational reform in the UAE. A quantitative mode of inquiry profiled department heads from a self, superior and subordinate perspective. Findings show that priorities related to change implementation and teacher support, strategies facilitating a collaborative leadership style and skills that motivate, energise and encourage teachers contributed to the effectiveness of department heads in their role as change agents. The results of this study verify the potential role of the department head as an instructional leader and change agent in the educational reform process.