Inclusion of Children with Special Educational Needs. The Principal's Role

Abstract

As the educational system tries to modernize, the inclusion of all children in the educational process becomes imperative. The school principal is a main factor in the implementation of inclusion because of their high position in the school environment. This paper aims to study the role of the school principal in implementing the inclusion of children with special educational needs in Secondary Education. Research follows a mixed methodology, combining the provision of questionnaires to teachers and the conduct of a semi-structured interview with principals.The results reveal that principals play a very important role in the implementation of inclusion, as they affect teachers through their attitudes towards inclusion and the relationships they develop with them, as well as students via direct contact with them. The findings of this research highlight the role of principals in reforming the educational system in Greece, the practices they follow and the problems they face.