Instructional Leadership and E-Waste Management: A Qualitative Case Study of Uttarakhand Schools

Artificial intelligence has become an integral part of educational system. Optimum utilisation of artificial intelligence is dependent of the type of leadership the head of the institution follows. This paper is a case study that offers to see how instructional leadership style of principals in schools of Uttarakhand employs artificial intelligence to manage e-waste management and fosters a culture of environmental consciousness in school. The review of literature has brought out that studies on school leadership and artificial intelligence, especially in the hilly state, are far and few. This qualitative paper utilises semi-structured interviews on 50 school principals to collect data. The researcher also uses observation methodology to ascertain the same. The findings of the study underline the efficacy of instructional leadership in using artificial intelligence to manage e-waste in the most appropriate manner and reinforce sustainability. The findings of the study can be used as a foundation stone to further study about the various usage of artificial intelligence in handling of digital waste and how school principals' leadership style can play an integral part in environmental sustainability. Such studies aid in framing guidelines by the state educational policy makers for proper disposition of digital waste, strengthen the climatically fragile state and foster sustainability.