Professional development of education managers: motivation and barriers

Professional development of education managers is a necessity due to some factors. Modern challenges of the educational space require managers to be able to effectively manage changes and adapt educational processes to new conditions. Regulatory requirements provide for compliance with the competencies defined by legislation, as well as personal readiness for professional activity. An important role is played by the manager’s desire to achieve high results, develop their skills and increase professional competence. All this emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement of knowledge, skills and leadership qualities of education managers. The purpose of the scientific research is to identify barriers that affect the professional development of education managers and identify areas that require improvement. The following methods were used in the scientific research: analysis, generalization, systematization, questionnaire. The structural components of the professional development of the head of an educational institution are characterized. These include: knowledge, skills and abilities, personal and professional qualities, culture, motivation. We consider the professional development of education managers as a multifaceted and systemic process that creates the basis for innovative management and sustainable development of educational institutions. Difficulties that hinder the process of systematic professional development have been identified. Such difficulties include: limited financial resources, lack of time, insufficient support from top management, lack of quality professional development programs, low level of remuneration in relation to workload, etc. The main motives and incentives for professional development for education managers have also been investigated. Such motives and incentives include: personal interest and self-improvement, increasing the efficiency of institution management, career growth opportunities, recognition of colleagues and professional reputation, creation of a competitive and modern educational institution, and legislative requirements. The areas that education managers seek to improve in their professional activities have been identified, namely: legal aspects of management, monitoring the quality of education, innovative and project activities, crisis management, communication and external activities, personnel management, organization of the educational process, financial and economic activities, provision of material and technical resources, sociopsychological work.