Student Leadership through the Lens of Lebanese Public School Students

Abstract

This study investigated the perceptions of students regarding the concept of student leadership within the Lebanese school context. The study surveyed 410 high school students from 4 public schools in Beirut, Lebanon. Data was collected via a survey consisting of 20 items developed and adapted from the LPI survey of Kouzes & Posner (2014). It addresses students’ perception of leadership around 5 areas: 1) modeling the way; 2) inspiring a shared vision; 3) challenging the process; 4) enabling others to act; and 5) encouraging the heart. In addition, a focus group interview was conducted with 8 students, two from each surveyed school. The interview focused on collecting deep empathetic qualitative data about how the realization of student leadership in their schools would impact on them. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS 21.0 for windows, while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. Results indicated that students recognized strengths and weaknesses of student leadership and that if well established, students would be more inclined to learn in their schools.