Abstract

• The main aim of this study is to study instructional leadership practices of the Basic Education High School Principals in Myawaddy Township, Kayin State. The specific aims of this study are (1) to study the instructional leadership practices of the principals in creating an effective learning environment, (2) to investigate the instructional leadership practices of the principals in improving classroom instruction, (3) to examine the instructional leadership practices of the principals for the professional development of the teachers, (4) to study the variations of principals’ instructional leadership practices related to their personal factors, and (5) to find out the variations of principals’ instructional leadership practices among selected schools. Quantitative and Qualitative methods were used. Two sets of questionnaire were used to collect the required data, one for the teachers and one for the principals. The questionnaires were developed by the researcher based on the literature review. The reliability coefficient (Cronbach's alpha) was 0.95 for the questionnaire to explore the level of performance of instructional leadership practices of Basic Education High School Principals rated by teachers. Five principals and two hundred and nine teachers in Myawaddy Township, Kayin State were selected as the participants for this study. Instructional leadership practices of Basic Education High School Principals in this study were divided into three main areas (1) creating an effective learning environment, (2) improving classroom instruction and (3) teachers’ professional development. Principals’ performances were rated at moderately high level in all areas of instructional leadership practices. From the open-ended questions answered by the principals themselves, it was found that their practices were weak in the areas of improving classroom instruction and teachers’ professional development. Statistically significant differences were found between the principals according to the subjects they can teach well. There were also significant differences of the principals’ performance among the schools.