Revisiting Leadership in Schools: Investigating the Adoption of the Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework

Ayman Massouti, Nessrin Shaya and Rawan Abukhait ()
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Ayman Massouti: Department of Education, College of Arts & Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Dubai Campus, Dubai P.O. Box 410896, United Arab Emirates
Nessrin Shaya: Department of Education, College of Education, American University in the Emirates, Dubai P.O. Box 503000, United Arab Emirates
Rawan Abukhait: Department of Management, College of Business Administration, Ajman University, Ajman P.O. Box 346, United Arab Emirates

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 5, 1-18

Abstract: This study examined the prevalent leadership practices in the implementation of the Dubai Inclusion Education Policy Framework (DIEPF), which paves the way for elaborating on key nuances relating to the prospects and challenges of meeting the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) federal requirement of educating all students, including students identified as experiencing special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in a common learning environment. A qualitative phenomenological research design was employed, where data was collected through semi-structured interviews with a group of individuals who assumed a senior leading role in SEND departments, led inclusive practices at the school level, or were experts in special education studies in the UAE. The final sample consisted of 21 interviewees, of which 11 are heads of SEND departments, 6 are senior executive leaders at the designation of principal or vice principal, and 4 are experts in special education employed in reputable higher education institutions in the UAE. The analysis resulted in identifying five themes as critical key factors in inclusive education implementation and several sub-theme components. As an additional dimension, an emergent theme was derived, expanding the theoretical boundaries of the DIEPF. Finally, theoretical and managerial implications for effective inclusive practices in school settings are offered.

Keywords: leadership; inclusive education; schools; policy implementation; Dubai (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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