QUESTIONNAIRE FOR INTERVIEW

1) What do you think should be the main goal of a school principal?

➢ The main goal of a school principal should be to create a positive and supportive learning
environment for all students. This involves developing and implementing effective policies
and programs that promote academic achievement, social-emotional well-being, and
personal growth.

➢ To achieve this goal, a principal should work collaboratively with teachers, staff, and
parents to establish clear academic expectations and provide support for student success.
They should also prioritize the professional development of their staff to ensure that they
have the skills and knowledge necessary to provide high-quality instruction and support for
students.

➢ In addition, a principal should focus on creating a culture of respect, inclusivity, and equity
that promotes positive relationships and a sense of belonging for all students. This includes
providing resources and support for students who may need additional help or
interventions, as well as recognizing and celebrating student achievements and successes.

➢ Furthermore, a principal should strive to build strong relationships with students, families,
and the wider community, and create opportunities for student engagement and leadership
development. This involves collaborating with community organizations and local
businesses to create meaningful partnerships that benefit students and the community as a
whole.

➢ Ultimately, the main goal of a school principal should be to prepare students for success in
the 21st century by equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to
thrive in a rapidly changing world. This involves providing students with opportunities to
develop critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and communication
skills, as well as fostering a love of learning and a commitment to lifelong learning.

2) How would you recruit new teachers for the school? Have you ever led a job
interview?
➢ Recruiting new teachers for a school can be a challenging but critical process to ensure that
the school is staffed with high-quality educators who can provide students with a quality
education. We may follow the following steps to recruit new teachers for the school:
➢ Develop a strong employer brand: The school should develop a strong employer brand that
highlights its mission, values, and commitment to student success. This can be done
through the school's website, social media channels, and other marketing materials.
➢ Advertise job openings: The school should advertise job openings on its website, job
boards, and education-related websites. This will help attract a broad pool of candidates
who are interested in teaching positions.
➢ Attend job fairs: The school can attend job fairs at colleges and universities to connect with
potential candidates who are looking for teaching positions. This provides an opportunity to
meet with potential candidates in person and gauge their suitability for the job.
➢ Utilize teacher networks: The school can reach out to current and former teachers,
administrators, and other education professionals to ask for recommendations for potential
candidates. Referrals from trusted sources can help identify strong candidates who may be
a good fit for the school.
➢ Conduct thorough interviews: The school should conduct thorough interviews to assess
candidates' skills, experience, and teaching philosophy. Interviews can also help assess a
candidate's fit with the school's culture and values.
➢ Observe teaching demos: To further assess a candidate's teaching skills, the school can
ask for a teaching demo, where the candidate can demonstrate their teaching skills in a
 classroom setting. This provides an opportunity to see the candidate's teaching style,
creativity, and ability to engage students.
➢ Offer competitive compensation and benefits: To attract and retain high-quality teachers,
the school should offer competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities for professional
growth and development.

3) If you should characterize a great school principal with three words, which words would
you
choose?
1. Visionary: A great school principal is a visionary leader who is able to articulate a clear and
compelling vision for the school, inspiring & supporting others to join them in working
towards a common goal of academic excellence and student success.
2. Resilient: A great school principal is able to navigate through challenging situations with
grace and resilience, maintaining their focus on the school's mission and goals even in
difficult circumstances.
3. Innovative: A great school principal is willing to think outside the box, embrace new ideas
and technologies, and find creative solutions to challenges.

4) Do you think that the school principal should teach? If they should, why?
A Principal must be good Teacher first. While it is not a requirement for a school principal to teach,
there are some situations where it can be beneficial for a principal to teach a class. For example, if
there is a shortage of teachers or if the principal has expertise in a specific subject area, they may
choose to teach a class to ensure that students receive a quality education.

However, it is important to note that being a principal is a demanding role that requires a
significant amount of time and energy. In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of the
school, a principal is responsible for supervising staff, overseeing budgets, and ensuring that the
school is meeting academic standards. For this reason, it may not always be feasible for a
principal to also teach a class.

Ultimately, whether or not a principal chooses to teach should depend on the needs of the school,
the principal's own expertise and interests, and the availability of resources and staff to ensure that
the school is running smoothly.

5) How do you imagine a typical day in work?

➢ Overall, a day in the life of a Principal involves a balance between administrative tasks,
educational leadership, and community engagement to ensure that the school is meeting its
mission and goals.
➢ Handling administrative tasks: The Principal may spend time on administrative tasks such as
reviewing budgets, preparing reports for the district or state, or dealing with disciplinary issues.
➢ Reviewing emails and messages: The Principal might start the day by reviewing emails and
messages from staff, parents, and the respective Board to ensure they are up-to-date on any
important issues or concerns.
➢ Meeting with staff: The Principal may hold meetings with staff to discuss curriculum,
instruction, student progress, and any other issues that may arise.
➢ Observing classrooms: The Principal may spend time observing classroom instruction to
ensure that it meets high standards and that students are learning effectively.
➢ Meeting with parents: The Principal may meet with parents to discuss their children's progress,
address any concerns or issues, or provide updates on school activities and events.
➢ Conducting professional development: The Principal may provide professional development to
staff to ensure that they are up-to-date on the latest teaching practices and techniques.
➢ Attending meetings: The Principal may attend meetings with district leaders, school board
members, and community organizations to discuss educational policies, funding, and other
issues affecting the school.
➢ Responding to emergencies: The Principal may need to respond to emergencies that arise
during the day, such as medical emergencies or weather-related events.
➢ Planning for the future: The Principal may spend time planning for the future of the school,
such as setting goals, developing improvement plans, and seeking out funding opportunities.
6) What do you expect from the students, the vice principals, and the teachers?
➢ Students: Students are expected to be engaged in their learning, attend classes regularly,
complete their assignments on time, and respect their teachers and peers. They should also
adhere to the school's code of conduct, follow rules and regulations, and maintain a positive
attitude towards learning.
➢ Vice Principals: Vice Principals are expected to support the school principal in managing the
day-to-day operations of the school, providing leadership to the faculty, staff, and students,
overseeing the curriculum and ensuring that academic standards are being met. They should
also be able to address any disciplinary issues and ensure that the school's policies and
procedures are being followed.
➢ Teachers: Teachers are expected to have a deep understanding of their subject matter and
be able to effectively communicate it to their students. They should create a positive learning
environment, encourage student participation, and provide feedback and support to help
students achieve their academic goals. They should also be able to collaborate with their
colleagues, keep up-to-date with the latest teaching techniques and technologies, and be
willing to adapt their teaching methods to meet the needs of their students.

7) What are your plans in long term horizon, let's say in 10 years?
➢ I want to be more efficient in my field continuing advanced research in my fields and
contribute to the development of new knowledge so that I can lead and guide a team, an
organization in a proper way by overcoming all the challenges in 21st century Education
system.
➢ As a principal,my long-term plans should include strategies for creating and maintaining a
positive school culture that supports student growth and success. This might involve
implementing restorative justice practices, promoting inclusivity and diversity, and fostering
a sense of community and belonging among students, staff, and families.
➢ I have a plan for ways to support the ongoing development of their staff over the next
decade. This might involve investing in training and professional development opportunities,
creating mentorship programs, and implementing a culture of continuous learning.
➢ Technology is becoming increasingly important in education, and a principal should plan for
ways to integrate technology into the school's curriculum and operations over the next
decade. This might include investments in infrastructure, professional development for
teachers, and the implementation of new instructional technologies.
8) From your point of view, what should be the relationship of a principal and the students?
➢ The relationship between a principal and students should be one of mutual respect, trust,
and support. A principal is a leader and role model for students, and their interactions with
students can greatly influence the school culture and atmosphere.
 ➢ The principal should create a positive school environment that fosters learning, growth, and
development for all students. They should strive to make themselves approachable and
accessible to students, listening to their concerns and needs.

According to my point of view to build positive relationships with students:

➢ Interact with students on a regular basis: A principal should make it a priority to interact with
students on a regular basis, whether it's through classroom visits, lunchtime conversations,
or attending school events. This shows students that the principal cares about them and is
invested in their success.
➢ Set clear expectations: The principal should set clear expectations for student behaviour
and academic performance, and communicate these expectations in a positive and
encouraging way. This helps students understand what is expected of them and gives them
a sense of direction and purpose.
➢ Celebrate student achievements: The principal should celebrate student achievements,
whether it's through awards, recognition ceremonies, or other forms of praise. This shows
students that their hard work and accomplishments are valued and appreciated.
➢ Address concerns and conflicts: The principal should address student concerns and
conflicts in a timely and respectful manner, taking the time to listen to all sides of the issue
and working to find a solution that is fair and equitable for all involved.
➢ Foster a safe and inclusive environment: The principal should work to foster a safe and
inclusive environment for all students, free from bullying, discrimination, and other forms of
harassment. This sends a message that all students are valued and respected, regardless
of their background, beliefs, or abilities.

Overall, the relationship between a principal and students should be one that is characterized by
trust, respect, and a shared commitment to academic success and personal growth.
9) What action(s) would you take on the students who are irregular to classes?
➢ Identify the reason for their absences: The first step would be to determine why the student
is not attending class regularly. I would review their attendance records, speak with the
student and their parents, and work with the school counsellor to understand any underlying
issues that may be contributing to the absences.
➢ Develop a plan of action: Once the reason for the absences is identified, I would develop a
plan of action with the student and their parents. This could include creating a support plan,
scheduling additional academic support, and establishing clear expectations and
consequences for attendance.
➢ Monitor progress: It is important to monitor the student's progress regularly and make
adjustments to the plan as necessary. This can involve following up with the student and
their parents, reviewing attendance records, and providing additional support and resources
as needed.
➢ Involve appropriate resources: If the student's absences are due to health or family issues, I
would involve appropriate resources such as school counsellors, social workers, or
community services to provide additional support.
➢ Encourage and incentivize attendance: Finally, I would encourage and incentivize
attendance by recognizing and celebrating students who attend class regularly, creating a
positive school culture around attendance, and establishing rewards programs for
consistent attendance.

Overall, the goal would be to work with the student and their parents to identify and address the
root cause of the absences and create a supportive and structured environment that promotes
regular attendance and academic success.
10) If a student complains about the teaching of a faculty member and you do not have
immediate
replacement, what are the steps you propose to take?

➢ It is very important for the Principal to take any complaints from students seriously and to
work collaboratively with faculty members to address any issues that are raised. By working
together to find solutions, it is often possible to improve the learning experience for all
students in the school

➢ As a Principal, my first step would be to meet with the student and listen to their concerns in
detail. I would try to understand the nature of the complaint and the specific issues the
student is having with the faculty member's teaching style or methods.

➢ If possible, I would try to observe the faculty member's class myself to get a better
understanding of the situation. I would also review any relevant data, such as student
feedback or assessment results, to gain more insight into the quality of teaching.

➢ Based on this information, I would then work with the faculty member to develop a plan of
action to address the student's concerns. This could involve providing additional support or
training for the faculty member to improve their teaching methods or finding ways to better
meet the needs of the student.

➢ If the issue cannot be resolved immediately, I would continue to monitor the situation and
work with the faculty member and student to find a suitable solution. In cases where the
issue cannot be resolved satisfactorily, I would escalate the matter to higher authorities or
seek external support and advice as needed.

From,
Dr. AJAYA KUMAR BEHERA
Vice Principal
Berhampur, Odisha