Administrative Challenges Facing Leaders of Special Education Centers and Institutes at Makkah Provision: Exploratory Qualitative Study

Abstract

The study aimed to explore the administrative challenges facing leaders of special education centers and institutes in Makkah Al-Mukarramah. This study used a basic qualitative research approach, which draws its findings from the lived experiences of study sample. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 7 directors and deputies of the three governmental special education centers and institutes in Makkah: The Institute for Intellectual Education, the Autism Center, and the Al-Noor Institute. According to the participants' experiences the study reveals several influential administrative challenges. These challenges included: the overload of responsibilities and burdens, multiple supervisory bodies and duplication of follow-up, insufficient authorities compared to responsibilities, limited financial resources and necessary spatial equipment, the lack of a performance evaluation system, negative attitudes among teachers, and difficulty managing relationships with families of students with special needs.

The study also presented several research and practical recommendations that would develop and support this important educational field related to special categories of students.

Keywords: Leadership of special education institutes, leaders of special education centers, administrative challenges, qualitative research.