The Position and the Role of School Principals on a Council System in German Schools

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the position and the role of school principals on a council system in German schools. In Germany, there has been a council system in school since the beginning of the 20th century. Central conferences in a council system are teacher conference and school conference. Teacher conference consists of representatives of all teachers and school conference consists of representatives of teachers, parents and students. School principal is the chairman of these conferences. I pointed out that the first role of a school principal in these conferences is as a mediator among the persons concerned in school. There are many conflicts among them. School principal must solve these conflicts and make them reach a consensus. Moreover, I pointed out that the second role of a school principal is as an observer of the decisionmaking. He must take objection to any illigal decisions or decisions for which, he thinks, he cannot assume responsibility. As a school principal is not only a repesentative of the school but also a representative of educational administration, he must fill these two roles as a chairman of the conferences. Therefore, school principal must acquire management skills and enrich his legal knowledges. The contents are as follows: 1. Purpose of this papar and a significance of the problems 2. Significance of a council system 3. School principal as a mediator 4. School principal as an observer 5. Conclusion -roles of school principal and the future tasks of this research