Policy and praxis of principals’ appointment: The case of Palestinian-Arab minority education in Israel

Abstract

The research investigated the appointment of principals in the Arab education system (AES) in Israel and the challenges they facing candidate. Interviews gathered from 40 currently serving principals and six rejected principalship candidates. Findings indicated that principalship candidates were motivated to become principals due to their quest for self-realization, a sense of social mission, professional advancement and managerial promotion. The research identifies outside interventions that frequently overcome professional criteria including political priorities. A filtering process is recommended before the principals’ course as part of the appointment process. Further conclusions and implications are discussed.