School development planning : another new initiative? : the leadership and involvement of educational interest/pressure groups in the context of current educational changes in Maltese Junior Lyceums

Abstract

Schools have often been accused of closing themselves off from their nearer and wider environment, in a self-chosen and often cherished 'splendid isolation'. Maltese Schools including Junior Lyceums are no exception. School Development Planning, as the vehicle to enhance educational change, has been an established tool within the Maltese Educational System since 1997. This dissertation aims to study 'the leadership and involvement of educational interest I pressure groups in the context of current educational changes'. The author of this dissertation, through a case study in one Maltese Junior Lyceum, a questionnaire for school teachers and educational leaders, interviews/surveys with Heads of Junior Lyceums and also a sample of stakeholders, tries to establish the leadership, involvement and links or lack of these with educational interest/pressure groups. The author of this dissertation found that Maltese Junior Lyceums have well constructed SDPs that stimulate collegiality but a good number of teaching and leading staff still do not own the process. Community/Parental involvement is still low and the introduction of SDPs has not stimulated enough linkage with Educational Interest/Pressure Groups to enhance school development. Other findings and recommendations/suggestions conclude this dissertation.