"CONTEMPORARY EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT: CHALLENGES OF ORGANIZATIONAL COMFORT AND THE NEED FOR INNOVATION"

Abstract: This article arises from the need to understand the challenges faced by contemporary educational management in school contexts marked by adverse conditions. A qualitative approach using grounded theory design was employed to analyze the perceptions of teachers, principals, and other school stakeholders through semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The findings reveal that factors such as student demotivation, teacher stress, inadequate infrastructure, and the lack of clear behavioral guidelines negatively affect learning. Additionally, novice principals face high levels of administrative demands without proper preparation, which undermines their leadership. The study concludes that implementing comprehensive training programs for school principals, covering both pedagogical and administrative aspects, is essential to strengthen their management and promote sustainable improvement in educational quality. Keywords: Educational Management, School Leadership, Grounded Theory, School Challenges, Educational Quality.