The needs and expectations of Hong Kong school principals on a networking centre

The recent trend of movement towards school-based management has left many principals in primary and secondary school an endless mission to find better ways to manage their schools. Being a school head has always been a job which requires much groping about in the dark as to what exactly he/she should do in the course of his/her job. One of the many ways principals may get support is through networking. This is a common but underdeveloped area where many institutes of higher learning are trying to provide service. The investigation is one where primary and secondary school principals are given a survey questionnaire to assess the difficulties principals have, their motivation have for a networking structure and centre, and their expectation for such centre. The data are analysed with reference to personal and school characteristics. Relevant findings will be reciprocated in the design of programmes for prospective networking centres. The same will also be used as a base for future evaluation.