Exploring School Principals' Lived Experiences of Total Quality Management Practices and Leadership Autonomy: A Phenomenological Study of Public and Private Schools in Karachi

Abstract

This study aims to dig into the reasons behind the waning trust in public school leadership in Karachi, especially when more parents are leaning towards private schools. Drawing inspiration from the Total Quality Management (TQM) philosophy that Deming introduced in post-war Japan and successfully applied in its education system, this research looks at how TQM principles can be adapted to fit the educational context in Pakistan. We will be using a qualitative research design, conducting in-depth interviews with six school principals, three from public schools and three from private ones who have been carefully chosen based on their PhD qualifications in Educational Leadership. This method is designed to uncover rich, detailed insights into the principals' autonomy, their leadership styles and preferences, and how they perceive TQM indicators as drivers of school development. By analyzing the interview data thematically, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of the leadership dynamics at play and create context-sensitive guidelines for improving schools throughout Karachi.

Keywords: Total Quality Management, School Leadership, Educational Performance Standards, Public and Private Schools, Continuous Improvement