Primary School Teachers’ Perceptions of School Aims and Principals’ Tasks

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to determine teachers’ perceptions of the aims of primary schools and the tasks of principals. The study was conducted in Burdur in 2006-2007 academic year and it is qualitative in nature. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire format. The sample population contains 135 teachers. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage and chi-square tests. The findings revealed that teachers perceive of the aims of the school more comprehensive than the aims included in the framework imposed by the regulations; and, as the most important task, they expect the school principal to carry the school to the highest possible achievement in all fields of education. The level of the academic achievement of the school where the teachers work and their branch are not found to be influential on the teachers’ perception of the aims of the school and duties of the principal that are performed and those expected to be performed.