An-Najah Staff

This study aimed at identifying the training needs of primary school principals and their importance in decision making. The study endeavored to answer the following questions: 1. What is the extent of training needs for primary school principals in the northern district of the West Bank according to the principals themselves? 2. Are there any statistical significant differences in the principals' estimates for training needs which can be attributed to : A. Sex. B. Academic qualification. C. Supervising authority. D. Monthly income . E. Number of students in the school. F. The number of teachers in the school. G. Location of the school. FL Administrative experience. The subjects of the study comprised of government primary school principals and headmistresses run by the Palestinian National Authority, and UNRWA primary schools in the West Bank northern districts : Nablus, Tulkarm, Jenin and Qalqilya. The subjects of the study totaled 236 principals and headmistresses. Eighty one principals' and headmistresses were chosen and stratified randomly and regularly. The questionnaire, used in this study, was taken from Ruth E. Randal and was modified to fit the objective of this study . The researcher checked the validity of the questionnaire by presenting it to eight specialists in the field of education from different Palestinian universities. Ile also tested its reliability by applying Alpha - Cronbach formula . The coefficient reliability amounted to 0.89. r The inventory consisted of 27 training needs. It was used to identify the training needs and the degree of their availability. The inventory of needs was divided into five dimensions according to the steps followed in taking administrative decision. These domains are as follows: 1. Clear understanding of the objective or purpose which the decision will serve ( statement of the problem ). 2. Gathering facts, opinions, ideas related to the problem ( data collection ). 3. Analysis and interpretation of the data. 4. Decision making stage by favoring and choosing one of the probabilities as the most appropriate in terms of results (decision making ). 5. Informing the concerned parties of the decision to implement It. The data were analyzed at An - Najah University Computer Center by using means, percentages, T- test and Analysis of Variance one way ( ANOVA ). The findings of study showed the percentage of response to the domains, covered in the study, according to principals and headmistresses, in ( Training Needs and Degree of Availability ) ranged between 71.6% - 78.7% ,and it shows the high degree for training . The " subject identification "received the highest percentage ( 78.7%) received the lowest percentage ( 71.6%) . The study revealed that there were no significant statistical differences at α = 0.05 due to the variables of sex, academic qualification, supervising authority, type of school , marital status, monthly income, number of students in school, number of teachers in school, school location, and years of experience in administration concerning " Training Needs and Extent of their Availability ". 11V The study recommended that : 1- contact be established with the local community when it comes to decision making. 2-students be engaged in the decision - making process and selection of possible alternatives and refraining from postponing decision making. 3- The researcher also recommended that the Ministry of Education hold training courses, and improve principals' economic conditions. 4- Teachers also need to be involved in the decision - making process . 5- There is also a need for future studies in this subject to cover all West Bank districts and the Gaza Strip.