The training of school principals: A study in the Cuban context

Abstract

The article analyzes the results of a study in which the objective was to assess the process of school principals’ training in Cuba. Data collection was done through the revision of existing documents and administering of questionnaires to subjects involved in the training process. Universities and provincial and municipal departments of education in eight provinces as well as schools in the province of Holguín were included in this study. The triangulation of the information obtained allowed analysts to conclude that the formation of a school principal is recognized as a specialized process, of a strategic nature, that must be carried out in stages. The conception of its implementation helps to prepare candidates and existing school principals in office for their professional management activity. However, conception of training does not ensure a coherent articulation between its stages and does not allow it to fully fulfill its fundamental role in the specialization and professionalization of the school principals. The enhancement of preparation for school management during initial teacher training, the accreditation of pre-service training of candidates, and the promotion of postgraduate academic training programs should be considered as ways for training and improvement of the didactic–methodological conception of the training process.