Developing the strategically focused school

The quest for strategic Malaysian Quality National Primary School Leaders

“…Davies (2004), Davies and Davies (2004, 2006, 2009) described the characteristic as "being strategically oriented" (STRATEGIC ORIENTATION) and it was obvious that the Malaysian QNPSL were strategically oriented as required by the stakeholders (particularly the MOEM), and hence conformed to the Standards of Competency for Malaysian School Principals (2006). Equipped with this particular characteristic, the Malaysian QNPSL also fulfilled the Quality Standards for Malaysian Education (2004).…”

“…Hence, the achievements of the strategic implementation of the EDMP will be of a great importance from 2010 onwards. Notes: a n ¼ 5; b n ¼ 4 Davies (2004), Davies and Davies (2004, 2006, 2009 described "ability to translate strategy into action" (STRATEGIC TRANSLATION) as one of the organizational capability characteristics of strategic leadership, while Kaplan and Norton (2004) suggested that strategic translation characteristic is essential for strategy management implementation success. Hence, the possession of this particular capability would enable the stakeholders to differentiate between the true strategic implementers (such as the Malaysian QNPSL) from mere lip-servers and mediocre school leaders.…”

“…However, the author limits this study to the original nine-point model of strategic leadership (five organizational abilities and four individual characteristics of strategic leaders) that was highlighted previously (Davies, 2004;Davies, 2006, 2009). There are at least three pertinent reasons why this study employs Davies model (as depicted in Figure 1).…”

“…First, the notions of strategic leadership in educational management and leadership are relatively new in Malaysia. Second, as far as strategic leadership in educational management and leadership are concerned, Davies is one of the most widely acclaimed scholars (Davies, 2004;Davies, 2006, 2009). Third, the model appears to be relevant to the present context of the Malaysian education system where the government is focusing on the outcome by referring to the key result areas (KRA).…”

“…Therefore, possessing the strategic leadership characteristics is important as it facilitates and drives the strategic cycle of a strategically focused school (Davies, 2004;Davies and Davies, 2004, 2006, 2009Eacott, 2008). Davies and Davies (2006) identified a nine-point model of strategic leadership that combines five organizational capabilities, and four individual characteristics of strategic school leaders as depicted in Figure 1.…”