The role of leadership in engaging parents in United Arab Emirate schools

The aim of this study is to explore the practices used by school leaders (principals, vice principals and social workers) to encourage parental involvement in UAE schools, and the differences in these practices based on their gender, school level and job position. A questionnaire was distributed to teachers in schools in Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah and Al-Ain, and 377 responses were collected. The study revealed that school leaders in UAE schools often communicate with parents. Further, they frequently engage parents in school decisions related to students' activities and behavior. The results also show that school leaders involve parents in their children's education in different ways, and that these differences are linked to the gender, school level and job position of those leaders.