Program Development for Enhancing Creative Leadership among School Administrators in Local Government Organizations of Thailand

Abstract

Most schools under the supervision of local government organizations (LGOs) across Thailand face a number of problems; the most important is related to the lack of creative leadership of school administrators. This study explored the existing situation, identified desirable conditions for enhancing creative leadership among school administrators in the LGOs, developed a program for enhancing creative leadership, and assessed the results of the implementation of the program developed. The research used two sample groups. The first group, representing 197 schools under the LGOs, consisted of school administrators at three levels: school directors; deputy directors; and learning area heads. The second group comprised of twelve volunteer school administrators working in the LGO of Udonthani Province who shared self-development. The instruments used were questionnaires and evaluation forms. Statistics used in the data analysis included mean (M), percentage, standard deviation (SD) and a priority needs index (PNI). The study identified three main factors and nine indicators of creative leadership of school administrators. Analysis showed that the three main factors-vision, flexibility and imagination-were currently at a low level among the first sample group. In contrast, the desirable condition expressed for this group was that the three main factors would be at a high level. Following implementation of the program the median was significantly higher than it had been prior to implementation, with a statistical significance level of .01. A suggestion showed that positive behaviors of school administrators can be developed through cooperation in establishing a creative leadership enhancement program based on need