Obstacles Facing the Principals of High and Essential Schools in Tulkarm and Nablus Governorates

Purpose of the Study The purpose of the study was to investigate the obstacles facing principals in Nablus /Tulkarm Governorates while performing their everyday duties . The Research Questions The study tried to answer these questions : 1.What obstacles do principals in Nablus and Tulkarm districts face as perceived by them? 2. Do School Management Obstacles vary according to gender? 3. Do School Management Obstacles vary according to Age? 4. Do School Management Obstacles Vary according to qualifications? 5. Do School Management obstacles vary according to years of experience? 6. Do School Management Obstacles Vary according to number of the pupils? 7. Do School Management Obstacles Vary according to School Location ? 8. Do School Management Obstacles Vary according to head teachers' residence Methodology The study population consisted of all principals in Essential and Sec. Government schools in Nablus & Tulkarm Governorates ,It included 233 principals. The tool of the study was a questionnaire made up of 40 items constructed and distributed over 8 main domains . The questionnaire was administrated to a random sample of "20" principals . Validity and reliabity measures were taken to ascertain its appropriateness for use in the study . It's test - retest reliability was computed to be 0,81. Validity was checked by having a group of experts review the instrument for content ( face ) validity . The collected data was analyzed by computer and the following results were concluded : Findings 1. The ratio of all obstacles in general ,on all topics , was low . 2. The ratio of obstacles was higher between the females on topics : ( ethic. authority , school buildings , teachers , pupils , self-development .and supervision skills ) . 3. The highest ratio of obstacles was among head teachers who are 50 years old or more. 4. The highest ratio of obstacles was among B.A. holders then Diploma then M.As 5. The highest ratio of obstacles among head teachers with less than 5 years’ experience in managerial work . 6. The highest ratio of obstacles was among head teachers who have more than 300 pupils in their schools . 7. Village schools face the highest ratio of obstacles in comparison with city schools . 8. The study results show that an equal ratio of obstacles face head teachers who live in the villages & the city . Recommendations 1. Strengthen the tics between, the local society and the school as an independent system . 2. Cooperation between Planners and other statistics departments to work together and take into account the pupils' distribution in the schools and classes . 3. Seminars ,workshops and discussion groups should be held regularly to discuss the last developments in management and other rising issues. 4. 1n - Service training is very essential for principals. 5. The Educational Authority should make and prepare the infrastructure including labs , class rooms, playgrounds, libraries and computer centers.