Work Intensification in School Management: A Qualitative Analysis Based on the Perspectives of School Principals

Abstract

This study aims to provide an in-depth examination of the causes, consequences, management strategies, and potential future impacts of work intensification among school principals. The research was conducted with 15 school principals in Kastamonu province in Türkiye, employing a qualitative research method and semi-structured interview technique. The data was analyzed through content analysis and descriptive analysis. The findings revealed that frequent changes in educational policies, increasing bureaucratic demands, task diversity, and staff shortages are the primary factors contributing to work intensification. Principals expressed that work intensification negatively affects their work-life balance, leads to professional burnout, and limits opportunities for professional development. The study also identified that principals manage work intensification by employing strategies such as task delegation, time management, and seeking support from colleagues. Additionally, the study revealed that the growing work intensification may reduce the attractiveness of the principalship and constrain their leadership roles to bureaucratic tasks. The study emphasizes the need to reconsider educational policies to alleviate principals’ work intensification and enable them to focus more on their leadership roles.

Keywords

• Work intensification
• school principal
• school management
• qualitative study

Okul Yönetiminde İş Yoğunluğu: Okul Müdürlerinin Görüşlerine Dayalı Nitel Bir Analiz

Öz

Bu araştırmanın amacı, okul müdürlerinin iş yoğunluğunun nedenlerinin, sonuçlarının, nasıl yönetildiğinin ve gelecekteki olası etkilerinin derinlemesine incelenmesidir. Araştırma, Kastamonu ilinde görev yapan 15 okul müdürü ile yürütülmüş olup, araştırmada nitel araştırma yöntemi ve yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme tekniği kullanılmıştır. Veriler, içerik analizi ve betimsel analiz yoluyla analiz edilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, eğitim politikalarındaki sık değişiklikler, artan bürokratik talepler, görev çeşitliliği ve personel yetersizliğinin iş yoğunluğunu artıran temel faktörler olduğunu göstermiştir. Müdürler, iş yoğunluğunun iş-yaşam dengesi, mesleki tükenmişlik ve mesleki gelişim fırsatları üzerindeki olumsuz etkilerini dile getirmişlerdir. Müdürlerin iş yoğunluğunu yönetmek için görev dağılımı yapma, zaman yönetimi ve meslektaşlardan destek alma gibi stratejilere başvurduğu ortaya çıkmıştır. Ayrıca, artan iş yoğunluğu nedeniyle müdürlük görevinin cazibesinin azalabileceği ve liderlik rollerinin bürokratik işlerle sınırlandırılabileceği öngörülmüştür. Çalışma, müdürlerin iş yoğunluğunu azaltmak ve liderlik rollerine daha fazla odaklanmalarını sağlamak amacıyla eğitim politikalarının yeniden gözden geçirilmesi gerektiğini vurgulamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• İş yoğunluğu
• okul müdürü
• okul yönetimi
• nitel araştırma

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