The Reform Process of Introducing the Licensing of Primary and Secondary School Principals

Abstract

To improve the quality of pre-university education in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is necessary to start a reform process aimed at increasing the competence of school principals. In accordance with the practice implemented in most countries of the region and many countries of the European Union, it is necessary to introduce the licensing of principals of primary and secondary schools. The paper provides a brief overview of the names of the modules in the training programs and the duration of the training after which school principals are licensed in the countries of the region, as well as the activities carried out in Bosnia and Herzegovina that preceded the introduction of principal licensing in the field of primary and secondary education. It is stated in the paper that the current regulatory changes should enable the licensing of principals of primary and secondary schools. Recommendations were given for adopting the occupational standards of school principals, as well as all the other steps that need to be taken. By implementing the process of licensing for school principals, the state would receive a significant resource of highly educated staff who have acquired competencies through an interdisciplinary training program for the management of primary and secondary schools.