Suggestions for improving leadership at different levels of the education system in the Republic of Serbia

Abstract

The content of this work is based on proposals for improving leadership at different levels of the educational system in the Republic of Serbia. As in most countries, four key levels can be distinguished in the Republic of Serbia that make up the basic structure of the education system: school, local self-government, school administration and the Ministry of Education and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia. Bearing in mind the importance of leadership in the educational system, this paper offers suggestions for its improvement at each of these levels. At the school level, teachers who recognize leadership as a skill and potential quality would be directed onto the leadership track with the aim being prepared in time for arriving at a leadership position. At the level of local self-government, we propose a sort of cooperation and exchange of experiences between leaders and teachers schools located in geographic proximity. At the school administration level, we offer presentations concerning successful leadership; that is, presentations of the work of a successful principal at the end of each school year. At the highest instance of the educational system, the Ministry of Education and Technological Development, we suggest mandatory education and training of future principals/leaders, so that they have a good starting position that would be improved on through practice. The goal of this paper is the acquisition of new, relevant and necessary leadership competencies, both in leadership positions and before arriving at a leadership position in order to have a good starting point that would be improved through practice.