تصور أنماط القيادة لدى المديرات الفلسطينييات لمراكز تعليم الطفولة المبكرة

Abstract

In this study, Palestinian Early Childhood Education (ECE) center female directors' perceptions of their leadership styles are examined from their own perspectives. A questionnaire was used to collect data from a stratified random sample of 166 ECE center directors and from structured, face-to-face interviews with 10 directors who had been purposefully selected. The questionnaire's validity (referee) and reliability (Cronbach's Alpha) had been tested beforehand. Using Google survey techniques, a stratified random sample from the West Bank and Gaza Strip was selected in July 2020. The study employed a descriptive quantitative and qualitative research method. The quantitative results showed that the directors of the ECE centers perceived six leadership styles in rank order from high to low: comprehensive and developmental, humanistic, democratic, supportive and transformative, autocratic and finally laissez-Faire. Nevertheless, a dialogue-based leadership concept is the preferred style as shown in the qualitative results. However, the directors of ECE centers found it difficult to articulate their leadership styles; instead, they preferred to explain what they do. The study is concluded with recommendations for ECE directors to improve their practices and for policy makers to finalize an ECE philosophy which would promote the professional foundations of ECE and the qualification of all directors and educators in the field. Directors are also recommended to establish networks in order to collaborate, have discussions, create a joint language based on their experiences and related research findings. Consequently, directors will be able to gain better knowledge of their leadership styles, strengthen their own leadership roles, and ultimately boost the quality of early childhood education in Palestine.