Principals’ Perception of Quality and Accountability: A Case Study of Lasallian Schools in Hong Kong
Year: 2011
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The main aim of the research is to investigate how the principals of Lasallian schools in Hong\nKong perceive education quality and accountability and how their conceptions are shaped by\nthe unique Lasallian context and their relationship to different stakeholders to whom they are\naccountable. Education quality in Lasallian schools is traditionally based on the mission and\nvision of the Institute of Lasallian Brothers in which ‘Education for All’, Holistic Education\nand ‘Touching Hearts and Minds’ are paramount.\nFaced with the prospect of a lessening of the influence of the Lasallian Brothers and having\nto respond to external educational reform proposals, there have been calls for a renewed\npartnership between the various stakeholders of Lasallian Schools to achieve a consensus\nview on quality and accountability. These stakeholders are the Educational Development\nBureau, the schools’ senior management committee, teachers, parents and students.\nThe research is based on the interpretive paradigm and the combined use of ethnographic and\nphenomenological methodologies, a case study approach and purposeful and criterion\nsampling. Inductive methods are used to analyse data collected through one semi-structured\ninterview with each of the ten principals supported by documentary evidence.\nFindings from the investigation suggest that a consensus view of education quality which\nwould appeal to all stakeholders would include : maintaining Lasallian values ; providing a\ndiversity of curriculum provision and holistic education ; enabling all students to achieve a\nlevel of academic attainment linked to their ability; achieving a shift from a teacher to a\nstudent centred approach, including helping students to ‘learn how to learn’.\nThese outcomes could be achieved by the extended use of a range of strategies in all schools:\ndistributive leadership with increased empowerment of teachers; promoting a culture of\ncontinuous improvement though development planning, self evaluation and continuing\nprofessional development; parent-school partnerships.
Author: Pak Keung Peter Kwok
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W403590480