Leaders’ perspectives : challenges experienced by lay heads in Maltese church secondary schools

Abstract

The education system in Malta is currently undergoing constant reforms which bring along increased responsibilities on school leaders. Accountability measures have intensified pressure on heads to achieve positive academic results whilst ensuring a quality education to all their students. Amidst these changes, church schools in Malta have also experienced a shift in leadership. In recent years, the lack of religious vocations has resulted in many lay people taking up leadership roles in church schools. Lay heads assume extra responsibilities than their counterparts in other sectors; they take on faith leadership roles in leading their school community in spiritual formation and promoting the school’s Catholic ethos and values. This study investigated some of the challenges that lay leaders in Maltese church secondary schools experience and the effects of such challenges on their performance. This research attempted to identify effective strategies in overcoming such barriers with the aim of improving leaders’ work performance. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six lay heads in Maltese church secondary schools. The findings of this study suggest the way forward for lay leadership in Malta as well as support strategies which may be implemented to help lay heads overcome the challenges they experience in their job.