Effective school leadership is essential for improving student achievement and creating supportive school environments. Leaders manage school operations, support teachers, and engage with the community, all of which contribute to better learning outcomes. By focusing on teacher development and student well-being, school leaders significantly enhance both teacher performance and student success.
A review by Bush et al. (2022) identified the key competencies needed for effective school leadership, emphasizing leadership development and scalable professional development (PD) programs. The review also stressed the importance of promoting gender equality in leadership roles. Experts from VVOB (2023) further highlighted the need for leadership that enhances student well-being, reduces dropout rates, and improves teacher quality through targeted support and development. They also advocated for gender-responsive policies.
The African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL) conducted a country mapping exercise to assess school leadership policies, PD programs, and support systems in Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Zambia. This exercise aims to guide ACSL’s efforts to strengthen leadership across the continent through collection of good practices. The reports offer insights into policy, practice, monitoring, and gender mainstreaming, along with recommendations for improving school leadership and professional development systems across Africa.
Country mapping report: School leadership in Kenya
Country mapping report: School leadership in Zambia
