The Unseen Burden: Unveiling the Lived Experiences of School Principals in Implementing Educational Policy

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of school principals in implementing educational policy, determine their coping mechanisms, and unearth insights and strategies. Employing a qualitative-phenomenological approach, the research involved in-depth interviews with six school principals in Davao City. The results revealed three major themes: stakeholder engagement and collaboration, resource and capacity constraints, and communication and knowledge transfer. The study highlighted the importance of inclusive policy development, clear communication, and adaptive implementation strategies. Implications suggest a need for educational institutions to shift towards more participatory and flexible policy implementation frameworks. Future research directions include conducting longitudinal studies on long-term impacts of implementation strategies, comparative analyses across different contexts, investigating the role of technology in policy communication, and developing effective training programs for school leaders in stakeholder engagement and adaptive implementation.