Question 2

It is important to keep in mind that while school leadership is essential, consistent, strong
leadership at the district level must not be overlooked. While principals create conditions that
encourage great teaching, superintendents can create conditions that allow principals to
become even better leaders.

In this way, superintendents can lay the groundwork for successful school leaders by setting
a clear direction and tone, investing in professional development, setting up mentors for new
principals, giving principals the authority to make key decisions and elevating the importance
of academic achievement, sometimes even going so far as to making it a part of a principal’s
evaluation.

Question 3

Teachers’ lack of technological skills in integrating optimal use of ICT into the curriculum is
reportedly the main reason for the challenges. Studies show that teachers had insufficient
technical support at school and limited access to the internet, and lacked pedagogical
instruction to facilitate students’ specific conduct on internet searches; they also lacked a
positive attitude towards teaching in smart schools, says an online research paper on the
website irandoc.ac.ir.

Some students who don’t have computers at home may also feel confused and frustrated
when they are offered new educational methods; therefore according to educational experts
the necessary infrastructure should be first developed.

The economic plight of many families, particularly those living in remote and deprived areas
also makes computer technology unaffordable for their children, is another major obstacle in
the way of the plan implementation.

Besides that, although schools have been equipped with the necessary gadgets and devices
like laptop, computers, and tablets, the teachers will face problems when there is no required
software installed in the devices as the teachers and students will have to use the software
to conduct the teaching and learning sessions.

Question 5

High performing schools produce outstanding students of international calibre to further their
education in educational institutions in the world and become superior personalities in all
fields of endeavour. The students produced are considered all-rounder as they excel in
academic, sports, leadership, and other aspects.

High performing schools bridge the gap between schools in the system. They inspire other
schools to develop excellence to high levels through benchmarking, mentoring and
networking with high performing schools.

High performing schools have improved quality of school performance through increased
levels of autonomy to enable schools to implement innovation in education, for instance,
organizational management, instructional management, curriculum management, financial
management and human resource management.

However, there are some issues that are expected to arise from the implementation of SBT.
One of them is the maintenance and development of the school facilities which will require a
lot of funding. Teachers will have to find different ways and means to raise money and find
sponsors to fund the development of the school.

Apart from that, the responsibility of teachers and students would increase whereby they will
have to always improve themselves and the school reputation to remain as a high
performing school. Teachers will have to always make sure that the students are performing
well in all aspects as well as increase the school reputation by entering different
competitions.