Navigating the Leadership Challenges and Support System for Assistant School Principals in Senior High School

Purpose: The role of assistant school principals (ASPs) is becoming vital in educational leadership, particularly in the context of senior high school education in the Philippines. This study was conducted to uncover insights from the ASPs’ shared experiences and propose support strategies to enhance their school leadership practices for better learning outcomes in senior high school.

Methodology: This research utilized a descriptive case study using an unstructured interview as the primary procedure for data gathering. Separate face-to-face interviews with the informants were conducted to gather data for this investigation. The informants in this study were five assistant principals in the Division of Sorsogon purposefully selected as to the length of service, place of assignment, and willingness to participate until the completion of this study.

Results: Findings revealed that the ASPs had varied educational backgrounds and professional experiences, suggesting no universal path to becoming an administrator. Nevertheless, the skills and insights gained from previous roles can be beneficial in assuming the new administrative roles. This study also revealed that ASPs in senior high school had a broad set of responsibilities. However, the primary focus was on instructional leadership. It also reflected that ASPs encountered various challenges related to a lack of training and continuous professional development programs; establishing authority and cultivating principal support; conducting classroom observation due to the enormous number and diversity of teachers; organizing immersion programs for TVL students due to financial constraints and availability of industry partners; and disruption in their professional and personal lives. The findings highlight the support that ASPs need to enhance their school leadership. Conclusion: ASPs are the school leaders’ partners in attaining the school’s mission and vision. However, comprehensive support and professional development opportunities are needed to empower assistant principals to fulfill their roles and enhance school leadership effectively.