Perceptions of female teachers on school leadership in the 4IR : a preparatory year programme in Saudi Arabia

Abstract: The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is a new era which is characterised by rapid advances in technology and is changing how we live, work, learn and interact with one another. Education has a role in preparing the current generation in a constantly changing environment for a future that requires new skillsets. Therefore, school leaders need to be well prepared to lead their institutions effectively to meet the demands of a world that is significantly transforming. Central to school leadership in this study is the leadership roles of female teachers in a Preparatory Year Programme (PYP) in Saudi Arabia and how empowered they are to lead in the 4IR era. A generic qualitative study was conducted where data was collected by using semi-structured interviews and a focus group interview. Four teachers and four coordinators from a female PYP in Saudi Arabia participated in the study. The findings showed that teachers perceive themselves as having minimal leadership roles in the PYP. The teachers understand how the 4IR is changing their roles in education and creating a need for them to adapt to digitisation. However, a gap in digital skills and digital leadership was found to affect how well equipped the teachers are for school leadership in the 4IR. The leadership style of the PYP studied was also found to be a hindrance to teachers emerging as leaders. The leadership style of the PYP’s top management was found to be rigid and directive. It is recommended that the management empowers teachers by including them in decision-making processes and also giving them autonomy to practise leadership in the PYP. The study also recommends that the leadership approach in the PYP changes from a directive to a participative approach as traditional leadership styles, such as top-down or hierarchical structures, are no longer effective in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era. Furthermore, the study recommends that everyone in the PYP familiarise themselves with and practise digital leadership in order to be prepared to lead education more effectively during the 4IR.M.Ed. (Educational Leadership and Management