Research Article

Problems Encountered by School Principals in Occupational Health and Safety Practices and Solution Proposals: The Case of Hakkari Province

Volume: 10 Number: 23 April 30, 2026
TR EN

Problems Encountered by School Principals in Occupational Health and Safety Practices and Solution Proposals: The Case of Hakkari Province

Abstract

Occupational health and safety (OHS) management in schools represents one of the most demanding and underexamined administrative responsibilities of school principals, particularly in geographically and economically disadvantaged regions. This study investigates the OHS measures taken by school principals across eight operational domains and the challenges they face in implementing those measures in Hakkari province, Turkey. A mixed-methods concurrent design was employed; data were collected from 139 school principals serving in public preschool, primary, secondary, and high schools in Hakkari and its districts during the 2023–2024 academic year using the OHS School Principals Problems–Measures Inventory and open-ended questions. The study addressed eleven research questions covering: safety measures in the areas of emergency and fire safety, electrical hazards, cleaning and maintenance, OHS training, cabinet and ergonomics, boiler room safety, stairs/windows/schoolyard, and bureaucratic procedures; as well as three categories of problems—computer system difficulties, application-level obstacles, and other structural challenges. Findings reveal that while basic administrative measures (emergency planning, annual OHS plans) are widely practised, critical deficiencies persist in fire detection systems, child safety socket locks, periodic equipment maintenance, boiler servicing, and near-miss reporting. At the problem level, budget shortages, heavy workloads, and the deteriorated physical condition of school buildings are the most severe barriers. Qualitative analysis identifies four overarching challenge themes: inadequate physical infrastructure, training and awareness deficiencies, resource insufficiency, and shortage of OHS inspection and expert support. These findings call for policy reforms including school reclassification under OHS law, infrastructure investment, improved digital management tools, and expanded expert support in under-resourced regions.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The ethical procedures for the research were fulfilled as follows: Research ethics were approved by the ethics committee report dated 16.01.2024, Session Number 2024/10, Decision No. 1, obtained from the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Board of Hakkari University Rectorate. Furthermore, the necessary permission for conducting the research was obtained from the Hakkari Provincial Directorate of National Education with letter number E-57730304-605-75307. Participants were informed that participation was voluntary, and provided information on the purpose of the research, the data collection process, and data security. Accordingly, the research process was conducted in accordance with ethical rules.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Education Policy, Specialist Studies in Education (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

April 11, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 28, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 23

APA
Aydin, J., & Koç, N. (2026). Problems Encountered by School Principals in Occupational Health and Safety Practices and Solution Proposals: The Case of Hakkari Province. Disiplinlerarası Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 10(23), 229-244. https://doi.org/10.57135/jier.1928336
AMA
1.Aydin J, Koç N. Problems Encountered by School Principals in Occupational Health and Safety Practices and Solution Proposals: The Case of Hakkari Province. JIER. 2026;10(23):229-244. doi:10.57135/jier.1928336
Chicago
Aydin, Jihat, and Nizamettin Koç. 2026. “Problems Encountered by School Principals in Occupational Health and Safety Practices and Solution Proposals: The Case of Hakkari Province”. Disiplinlerarası Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi 10 (23): 229-44. https://doi.org/10.57135/jier.1928336.
EndNote
Aydin J, Koç N (April 1, 2026) Problems Encountered by School Principals in Occupational Health and Safety Practices and Solution Proposals: The Case of Hakkari Province. Disiplinlerarası Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi 10 23 229–244.
IEEE
[1]J. Aydin and N. Koç, “Problems Encountered by School Principals in Occupational Health and Safety Practices and Solution Proposals: The Case of Hakkari Province”, JIER, vol. 10, no. 23, pp. 229–244, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.57135/jier.1928336.
ISNAD
Aydin, Jihat - Koç, Nizamettin. “Problems Encountered by School Principals in Occupational Health and Safety Practices and Solution Proposals: The Case of Hakkari Province”. Disiplinlerarası Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi 10/23 (April 1, 2026): 229-244. https://doi.org/10.57135/jier.1928336.
JAMA
1.Aydin J, Koç N. Problems Encountered by School Principals in Occupational Health and Safety Practices and Solution Proposals: The Case of Hakkari Province. JIER. 2026;10:229–244.
MLA
Aydin, Jihat, and Nizamettin Koç. “Problems Encountered by School Principals in Occupational Health and Safety Practices and Solution Proposals: The Case of Hakkari Province”. Disiplinlerarası Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi, vol. 10, no. 23, Apr. 2026, pp. 229-44, doi:10.57135/jier.1928336.
Vancouver
1.Jihat Aydin, Nizamettin Koç. Problems Encountered by School Principals in Occupational Health and Safety Practices and Solution Proposals: The Case of Hakkari Province. JIER. 2026 Apr. 1;10(23):229-44. doi:10.57135/jier.1928336

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