Professional Development of Education Leaders in Kosovo

This book is based on a study conducted in Kosovo using a qualitative case study methodology. It provides the perception of participants on the extent to which the required qualifications, enacted recruitment process, and professional development opportunities experienced by school principals contribute to effective leadership practice in post-conflict Kosovo. Perceptions of central Ministry of Education, Science and Technology leaders, regional educational leaders, municipal educational leaders, and school principals are documented and serve as the basis for discussion on the Kosovo school leadership professional development practice. Five themes are presented and discussed: (i) experience as the bases for selection, (ii) open interviews vs. interviews held for ‘the sake of having them done’, (iii) demand driven professional development, (iv) collaboration as key to effective school leadership, and (v) perception on change to happen. For the purpose of international comparison, themes are analysed and compared with three international jurisdictions and several leadership dimensions relevant to the Kosovo context.