Planning Activities of School Principals and Problems Encountered in Strategic Planning

The purpose of this study is to examine the planning activities and the problems encountered by the principals working at different type and level schools. The study is in survey method. Data were obtained through the interviews of 10 school principals who were selected by maximum variation sampling method, and were analyzed by descriptive method. It was determined by the data analysis that the participants had accurate and sufficient understanding of planning, believed the necessity of planning, but did not find themselves qualified about it. As a natural consequence of this, the participants stated that they did not use planning effectively. Various problems are encountered during the preparation and implementation stages of strategic planning. As a solution to these problems, it is suggested to provide schools appropriate authorization in the planning process, to encourage participation, to organize in-service training for the planning officials, and to allocate a budget to the school regarding their planning works.