Case Study on the Situational Leadership in Addressing Ethical Challenges Encountered by Principals during School Transfer

Abstract

This qualitative case study examined the ethical challenges encountered by principals during school transfers, using a theory-based approach focusing on the task behavior and the relationship behavior of the school head, and the perceived readiness or maturity of the school employees. Through in-depth interviews with the five school principals from the Department of Education, Division of Davao City, which were selected through purposive sampling, we explored the coping mechanisms employed by principals to address these challenges and examined the insights gained from their experiences. Findings reveal the multifaceted challenges faced by principals, including issues such as resistance to task assignment, ethical dilemmas, managing teacher behavior, ethical minefields in interpersonal dynamics, overcoming barriers in interpersonal dynamics, and adaptation in teacher engagement. Principals employ various coping strategies, such as supportive leadership, leadership strategies, establishing fairness, relationship management, and nurturing professional growth. We recommend enhancing principals’ leadership skills through professional development programs, establishing support systems, fostering emotional intelligence, and encouraging clear communication which can cultivate a positive school culture and effectively address ethical challenges encountered during school transfers, with future research benefiting from quantitative approaches to further understand and mitigate these challenges.