Reasons and Motivations of School Leaders who Apply for Rural, Regional and Remote Locations in Australia

Abstract

Evidence suggests that there are significant difficulties associated with the attraction and retention of appropriately qualified, high quality teachers and educational leaders (e.g., principals) for rural1, regional and remote locations in Australia. Further, educational leadership in these areas carries complex demands, and educational leaders are often under prepared for the work and demands expected of them. Why then, do educational leaders apply for R3 positions? Herein, we use qualitative reports from 426 school leaders employed in rural Australia for an average length of 10.6 years (SD = 7.3 years) and frequency data to identify the most common reasons and motivations for applying to work as an educational leader in a R3 context. Given the leaders’ length of R3 employment, we argue that examining their reasons and motivations for applying can assist in understanding how to enhance the recruitment of educational leaders for rural, regional and remote areas. Further, by examining reasons and motivations, policy makers and administrators may benefit from the findings of this research about why educational leaders choose to work in country areas.