School leadership in context: the influence of Islamic values and beliefs on Kuwaiti school principal practices

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article reports the findings of a study investigating the influence of Islamic values and beliefs upon the practices of school principals in Kuwait. The findings are part of a large-scale project to develop an Islamic-Oriented Educational Leadership (IOEL) model for Muslim school leaders. This article undertakes an exploratory investigation employing a qualitative research approach. The research data were derived from 36 semi-structured interviews conducted with principals of public schools in Kuwait. Through a rigorous analysis of the collected data, three prominent themes emerged: (i) Integration of Islamic Values in Leadership Traits and Attributes; (ii) Mission and Vision Alignment with Islamic Principles; and (iii) Incorporating Islamic Values into School Principal Roles. The findings underscore the significance of Islamic values and beliefs in shaping the leadership approaches of Kuwaiti school principals; their decisions, roles and actions consistently reflect alignment with these deeply-held principles. Nonetheless, it is important to note that these practices remain intricately interwoven with the cultural and political norms of Kuwait. This article’s findings have practical implications for both future research and practice. Furthermore, the article’s findings can enhance current interpretations of educational leadership by highlighting its spiritual aspects, and the influence of personal contextual factors on leader perspectives.