Exploring School Leaders’ Perceptions of Contemporary Leadership Professional Development in the UAE and Emerging Needs

This study examined how school leaders in Sharjah conceptualize and envision professional development and what gaps may exist in current leadership PD programs considering the growing demands of 21st century education and digital transformation in schools. Using a qualitative interpretivist research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 school leaders. The findings showed that while existing PD programs are valuable, they are de-contextualized and lack depth in key leadership competencies. Participants emphasized the significance of adopting needs-based leadership PD approaches, focusing on digital and cultural competencies, concluding that a systemic redesign that aligns with UAE Vision 2030 is needed.