Illuminating the core of Singapore school leadership preparation: Two decades of in‐service experience

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine distinctive features that have surfaced in school leadership development programmes for more than two decades in Singapore.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on information gathered from existing literature and the author's involvement in the programmes.

Findings

The Diploma in Educational Adminstration (DEA) programme and the Leaders in Education Programme (LEP), offered by the National Institute of Education of the Nanyang Technological University, primarily adopted the mentoring model and innovation model respectively. Irrespective of the models, evidence is provided to illuminate the co‐creation approach as well as synergy with the schools and Ministry of Education that permeate both programmes.

Practical implications

Instead of discarding the past as obsolete, it is suggested that programme developers take cognizance of local distinctive features in leadership preparatory programmes and capitalize their strengths, in their attempts to generate the next wave of seascape change.

Originality/value

Provides pertinent aspects of experience over a period of more than two decades of school leadership preparation in Singapore that could be of useful reference to practitioners and researchers in the field.

Citation

Hean Lim, L. (2007), "Illuminating the core of Singapore school leadership preparation: Two decades of in‐service experience", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 21 No. 5, pp. 433-439. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513540710760200