Title: Views and suggestions on Greek school heads and their selection system

Authors: Eleni Sfakianaki; Eleni Bakalmpasi; Ioannis Dimitriou

Addresses: Hellenic Open University, Parodos Aristotelous 18, Patra, 26335, Greece ' Primary Education of Voiotia-Greece, 10th Primary School of Livadia, Voiotia, Greece ' Secondary Education of Larissa-Greece, Senior High School of Goni, Larissa, Greece

Abstract: This paper aims to present the selection process of school heads in primary and secondary education in Greece for the period of 2011-2015 with reference to the law (3848/2010). In interviews with heads, their opinions and suggestions for improving the system were recorded. Seventy-eight people from almost all the Greek regional directorates took part in the research. Potential heads were evaluated on the basis of a number of criteria including an interview. The research drew some interesting comments. Almost all the participants agreed on the necessity for an interview in the evaluation of a candidate's personality, and if possible, for the candidate's psychological profile to be identified. Nevertheless, they expressed their concerns regarding the way in which interviews are currently conducted. Respondents also emphasised the importance of ongoing training for heads in educational organisation and administration as part of their continuous improvement process.

Keywords: school heads; selection process; school head teachers; head teacher selection; decision making; Greece; primary education; secondary education; primary schools; secondary schools; personality traits; psychological profile; interviews; ongoing training; continuous improvement.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDSRM.2016.082068

International Journal of Decision Sciences, Risk and Management, 2016 Vol.6 No.4, pp.381 - 399

Received: 10 May 2016
Accepted: 09 Sep 2016

Published online: 06 Feb 2017 *

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