Identifying and Evaluating the Professional Competence of Principals of Primary Schools

The success of a dynamic and excellence-oriented education system relies on principals who are competent, skilled, and passionate about effective teaching and learning. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the professional competencies of elementary school principals in Kosar City. The research was applied in nature and utilized a descriptive survey design for data collection. The statistical population included all principals, assistants, counselors, and education department managers in Kosar City, with a sample of 102 individuals selected through random sampling method. A researcher-developed questionnaire was employed to gather data, whose content validity was confirmed by experts, and its reliability was established with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.83. Data analysis was performed using confirmatory factor analysis and one-sample t-tests. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis revealed that three dimensions-skills and abilities, attitudes and values, and individual characteristics -constituted the framework for the manageres’ general competencies, while five dimensions-knowledge competencies, supervision and control, communication management, resource management, and educational management-formed the framework for specialized competencies of elementary school principals in Kosar City. Furthermore, the findings indicated that both general and specialized competencies identified for these principals were in favorable conditions. Accordingly, leveraging the identified dimensions and components for the selection and development of principals can contribute to the efficient and effective fulfillment of schools’ educational missions.