The hidden social curriculum in primary schools: Interactions between new teachers and primary school principals

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hidden social curriculum in primary schools with a focus on the interactions between the new teachers, the teachers graduated from Farhangian University, and the school principals. This study was conducted via a qualitative approach using thematic analysis. The study population included 108 student-teachers who were freshman students at Farhangian University during the academic year 2012-2013 and are now serving as new teachers in Mashhad. A total of 25 teachers were selected as the study participants to participate in semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed and then analyzed by thematic coding. The findings revealed four inclusive themes and 21 organizing and 62 basic themes based on the observed hidden social curriculum in primary schools. The results showed that despite their many years of work experience, a large number of the principals do not have the knowledge and skills required of a school principal.