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Liberia:
Head Teachers Well-being, Leadership Standards and Competences Survey

Survey on Well-being, Leadership Standards and Competences for School Heads

This survey collects the views of head teachers and principals of PUBLIC BASIC and SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS on Well-being, Professional Standards and Competences for School Leadership in LIBERIA.
It is an opinion poll which will have serious implications for the development and implementation of Professional Standards and Competences for School Leadership in the country. Therefore, please ensure that you are a HEAD TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL before completing the questionnaire, and respond honestly and to the best of your ability. Your personal detail will not be disclosed to a third party or included in the analysis. Also, ensure that you are participating in the survey voluntarily and not compelled in anyway by an individual or authority.

Thank you for taking the time to respond to the survey. It'll take about 20minutes.
Definition:
Professional Standards and Competences for School Leadership are statements of the knowledge, skills, behaviour, ethics, values and attitudes expected of a school leader. The later refers to a head teacher or principal of a Basic or Senior Secondary School.

PART 1: PERSONAL BACKGROUND QUESTIONS
1.What is your county?(Required.)
2.Which of the following best describes your position in your school?(Required.)
3.Please select to indicate your type of school (Required.)
4.Is your school located in urban, semi-urban, rural, or remote area?(Required.)
5.What is your sex?(Required.)
6.Please select to indicate your marital status(Required.)
7.What is your age group in years?(Required.)
8.What is your travel distance to school?(Required.)
PART 2: PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND QUESTIONS
9.What is the highest level of professional teacher training that you have completed?
[Please select the FIRST option below if you have NOT trained as a teacher](Required.)
10.What is the highest level of training in school management that you have completed?
[Please select the FIRST option below if you have NOT completed ANY training in School Management](Required.)
11.How many years of pre-service teacher training have you received altogether?
[If you have not trained as a teacher, please select the FIRST option below. i.e., "I have not received any pre-service teacher training"](Required.)
12.In total, how many complete years have you actively been a school leader?(Required.)
13.How many girls and boys are currently enrolled in your school?(Required.)
14.How many female and male teachers teach in your school?(Required.)
PART 3: WORK-RELATED AND WELL-BEING QUESTIONS
15.To what extent did each of these factors influence your original decision to become a teacher?(Required.)
To no extent
To a limited extent
To moderate extent
To a high extent
To a very high extent
(a) Lack of other career opportunities
(b) Desire to work with learners
(c) Influence of one of my teachers
(d) Influence of one of my parents/siblings/family members
(e) Love for the subject matter that I teach
(f) Respect for teaching as a profession
(g) Status of teachers in society
(h) Opportunities for career progress
(i) Passion to teach
(j) Family-friendly working conditions
16.Please rate the level of importance of the following factors that influences a teacher’s decision to stay in the job.
(Required.)
Very low
Low
Medium
High
Very high
(a) Salary or adequate compensation
(b) Adequate pre-service preparation
(c) Leadership of the principal
(d) Understanding and support from parents
(e) Friendly/supportive/healthy work-life balance culture
(f) Manageable workload/realistic job expectations
(g) Opportunities for professional development or training for teachers
(h) Opportunities for career progression or promotion
(i) Job security
(j) Status of teachers in society
(k) Family-friendly policies
(l) Teacher independence in executing decisions
(m) Involvement of teacher in making decisions about their issues
(n) Policies on teacher performance review
(o) Location of the school
17.The following statements describe feelings and perceptions about the experience of being a school leader. Please rate how much you disagree or agree with each statement.(Required.)
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
(a) I am highly satisfied by my job
(b) Most hours in my working day are spent on work-related issues
(c) My compensation is highly rewarding
(d) My employer offers many opportunities for career or professional development
(e) I am satisfied with guidelines on promotion
(f) Achievement of set guidelines on promotion is difficult
(g) I am satisfied with the current teacher performance appraisal guidelines
(h) I am satisfied with the requirement by my employer for Continuous Professional Development
(i) I feel capable of maintaining classroom control with the current class sizes
(j) I am well trained in motivating learners in their academic endeavors
(k) I am well trained in motivating teachers in their work
(l) My job allows me to easily meet my family needs
(m) The institution where I work is not exposed to any danger that may cause health problems
(n) School leadership makes my life more meaningful
(o) I have job security at the institution where I work
(p) My institution adopts a democratic and participatory approach towards management and supervision
(q) I feel fatigued when I get up in the morning and must face another day at school
(r) Given another opportunity, I would still choose teaching as my career
18.What support mechanisms are available from your employer/school to support teachers deal with work-related stress, mental health or well-being issues?(Required.)
Not available
Available
(a) Presence of a common room for relaxation and socialization
(b) Availability of free training on issues related mental health and well-being.
(c) Availability of written guidelines on teacher mental health and well-being at my school
(d) Availability of professional services, such as counselors
(e) Facilitation of referral when there are severe cases
19.On a personal-level, how often do you apply the following strategies to avoid work-related stress?(Required.)
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Most of the time
All the time
(a) Taking leave or go on a vacation
(b) Making sure I am eating a healthy diet and staying hydrated
(c) Seeking professional support to help untangle life challenges
(d) Socializing with coworkers
(e) Reaching out to people close to you especially family and friends
(f) Making time to relax such as exercising, taking a walk, and meditation
(g) Setting clear boundaries between work and non-work matters
20.In the last 30 days, how often did you encounter the following work-related stress, mental health or well-being issues as a teacher?(Required.)
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Most of the time
All the time
(a) How often did you feel tired for no good reason?
(b) How often did you feel nervous?
(c) How often did you feel so nervous that nothing could calm you down?
(d) How often did you feel hopeless?
(e) How often did you feel restless or fidgety?
(f) How often did you feel so restless that you could not sit still?
(g) How often did you feel depressed?
(h) How often did you feel that everything challenges you?
(i) How often did you feel so sad that nothing could cheer you up?
(j) How often did you feel worthless?
(k) How often did you feel lonely?
(l) How often did you feel angry for no good reason?
(m) How often did you feel like committing suicide?
21.The following statements describe some of the approaches teachers have used to cope with work-related stress, mental health and well-being issues. On a scale of 1 to 4, please rate how much you disagree or agree with each statement.(Required.)
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
(a) If I approach my supervisor with concerns about my mental health, I feel confident that I will be well supported.
(b) Appropriate support for mental health issues for teachers is available in my school.
(c) I understand and respond to my teachers’ mental and emotional needs.
(d) I feel confident talking to teachers about their mental health and psychosocial well-being.
(e) I can refer teachers affected by mental health and psychosocial issues for further support.
22.Have you attended any in-service training or courses on the following issues in the last 3 years?(Required.)
No
Yes
a) School safety and security issues
b) Peace and resilience issues
c) Comprehensive sexuality education and related issues
d) Digital technology or ICT issues
e) Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and well-being issues
f) Special needs education issues
g) Gender responsive pedagogy issues
h) Other inclusive education issues (e.g., disability)
i) Competency based curriculum
PART 4: SCHOOL LEADER CHALLENGES AND ICT ISSUES
23.In general, to what extent do you feel you are limited or hindered by the following factors in implementing your duties as a school leader in your current school?(Required.)
To no extent at all
To a limited extent
To a moderate extent
To a high extent
To a very high extent
(a) Lack of electricity
(b) Insufficient textbooks for use by learners
(c) Large numbers of learners per class (i.e., large class sizes)
(d) Insufficient physical facilities such as classrooms, workshops, laboratories, etc.
(e) Lack of ICT equipment/devices for use by teachers
(f) Lack of ICT equipment/devices for use by learners
(g) Lack of free internet connection for use by teachers
(h) Lack of free internet connection for use by learners
(i) Lack of teacher training on digital or ICT skills
(j) Lack of teacher training on integration of ICT in pedagogy
(k) Lack of teacher training on gender responsive pedagogy
(l) Lack of teacher training on other inclusive issues (e.g., special needs)
(m) Lack of teacher training on school safety, security, peace and related issues
(n) Lack of teacher training on learning assessment
(o) Lack of teacher training on the new Competency Based Curriculum (CBC)
(p) Lack of support from education authorities in the implementation of CBC
(q) Lack of cooperation by parents
(r) Teacher absenteeism
(s) Learner absenteeism
(t) Insecurity in the school or surrounding environment
(u) Negative perceptions or attitude towards girls’ education by the public
24.How would you rate your level of expertise in the following ICT skills?(Required.)
Novice or very low
Beginner or low
Intermediate or moderate
Advanced or high
Expert or very high
(a) Word processing
(b) Use of worksheets (Excel)
(c) Development of PowerPoint presentations
(d) Use of databases
(e) Use of e-learning platforms (e.g. Google classroom)
(f) Development of webpages
(g) Conducting online surveys or e-tests
(h) Integrating ICT in pedagogy
25.Which of the following facilities and items are currently available in your school?(Required.)
Not available
Available
(a) Electricity
(b) Staffroom
(c) School fence
(d) Clean drinking water
(e) Separate toilets for girls and boys
(f) At least one fire extinguisher
(g) A written policy on school safety and security
(h) Written instructions on safety and security
(i) A written schedule of exercises on emergency issues
(j) A written policy on school visitors
(k) First aid kits
(l) Free school meals for learners/Free school feeding program
(m) A peace club for learners
(n) Sports and games facilities for learners
PART 5: LEADERSHIP STANDARDS AND COMPETENCES ISSUES
26.Please indicate your answer to the following questions by clicking on either “No” or “Yes”.(Required.)
No
Yes
a) I have heard about Professional Standards and Competences for School Leadership?
b) I have read a copy of the Liberia Professional Standards and Competences for School Leadership
c) I have heard of the term, “Professional development portfolio”
d) I believe there should be clearly spelt out standards and competences for school leaders
e) I think Professional Standards and Competence for School Leadership can improve the performance of head teachers and principals
f) Liberia has well spelt-out standards and competences for school leaders
g) In Liberia, we have a teacher registration and licensing authority
h) I am currently registered as a head teacher or school leader by the Centre of Excellence for Teacher Licensing and School Accreditation, Ministry of Education
i) Currently, I hold a license to practice as a head teacher or as a principal
j) Before my appointment as a head teacher (or principal), I took a professional test (or examination)
k) After my appointment as a head teacher (or principal), I received training (or attended a workshop for at least one week) in school leadership
l) Before starting my job as a head teacher (or principal), I received a professional induction (or an orientation exercise of at least one full day)
m) I have access to an official computer, laptop or tablet in my school
n) I have access to free internet connection in my school
o) I own a personal computer, laptop or tablet
p) I own a smart phone
q) My monthly salary is paid as and when due
r) I am always paid my salary in full (and never as part-payment)
s) In Liberia, there is a teacher award (or other programmes) to recognise head teachers (or principal) performance organised at the national level
t) In Liberia, we have well-outlined policy on career pathways for teachers
27.Please rate your level of agreement (or disagreement) with the following statements based on your experience.(Required.)
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
a) My pre-service teacher training prepared me adequately for the challenges I met on the ground as head teacher
b) My pre-service teacher training did not expose me enough to the professional knowledge (theories, principles, leadership styles, technology, financial management, change and innovation, etc.) for school leadership.
c) My pre-service teacher training did not expose me enough to the professional skills (planning and implementation of school programmes, etc) for school leadership.
d) My pre-service teacher training did not expose me enough to the ethics and conduct which I need to know about as a head teacher or principal.
e) The amount of in-service training I have received since was appointed as a head teacher (or principal) has been very adequate
f) In general, the condition of my office at school is excellent
g) The overall physical condition of my school is excellent
h) My relationship with the immediate supervisor is excellent
i) In general, my relationship with the teachers in my school is excellent
j) I am well trained in integration of ICT in school management
k) In Liberia, we have well-outlined policy on career pathways for head teachers or principals
28.Please name the TOPMOST in-service training that you would like to get as head teacher or principal
29.In your own opinion, what can be done (beyond what is already being done) to enhance motivation of school leaders? Please name one thing and explain briefly if necessary. [OPTIONAL]
30.List three key suggestions to improve standards and competences of school leaders in Liberia? [OPTIONAL]