A comparative study of educational administrators in Singapore: Emphasis on successful women.

Abstract

This study: (1) examined the similarities and differences on several (educational) issues between male and female educational administrators in Singapore, (2) explored the phenomenon of success as experienced by several of the female educational administrators. Data for the study was generated from two sources: a questionnaire mailed to all principals and a sample of other educational administrators in Singapore, and in-depth qualitative interviews with fourteen of the female administrators. In a two-step process select administrators in the education system were asked to nominate female administrators whom they considered successful. A list of names of successful females was thus generated. This list was then sent to other administrators and senior teachers who helped to pare it down by rank ordering. This was done for the purpose of obtaining a sample of successful women to be interviewed. Findings of the survey questionnaire showed that several significant differences exist between male and female educational administrators. Female educational administrators possessed higher qualifications, attended more inservice courses, and were less interested in being administrators initially, because they were already satisfied as teachers. Significantly more male administrators than female administrators cited "material benefits" as one reason for their wanting to be administrators. The interview data showed that successful female educational administrators in Singapore tend to be tenacious, hard workers and they find fulfillment and enjoyment in their work. They did not see themselves as successful, and would rather describe themselves as competent or effective. These female administrators externalized their success, claiming that their promotion was due to luck. They also defined success differently. Their success must include the success of their husb and s and in particular, their children. These findings provide insights into the phenomenon of success as experienced by highly successful female educational administrators in Singapore. In discussing implications, several questions are raised. What can institutions such as the home, school and church do to ensure that more women can succeed and that there is less human resource wastage? Since work has given these women opportunities for a great deal of satisfaction and self-actualization, how can or should society respond to this?