Professional development: perceptions of benefits for principals

Schools in Abu Dhabi are going through change and reform. Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) has initiated professional development for principals to facilitate change and school improvement. This paper explores principals' perception on the benefits of professional development received in light of managing school change and reforms. Semi-structured interviews provided data on perceived benefits of professional development, delivered for principals. These benefits are considered essential in enhancing principals' capabilities to fulfil new task requirements within the context of educational change. Findings shed light on: (a) how these benefits were functionalized in the new school system within the professional standards of principals and (b) areas requiring improvements. Based on the findings, recommendations for further need to maximize the benefits through a reconsideration of the content and process in designing professional development were voiced in a climate which places increasing demands on principals as leaders of schools.