Lean Management in Public Schools in Palestine: Obstacles and Solutions - A Qualitative Study

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the obstacles to lean management in public schools in Palestine and the proposed solutions. To achieve the study's objectives, a qualitative methodology was employed, and interviews were conducted. Ten principals and twenty teachers were interviewed. The deductive method was used to identify the obstacles facing lean management and their proposed solutions. The study identified several obstacles categorized into themes: financial resources scarcity, resistance to change, centralization, excessive workload on principals, and curriculum mismatch. Proposed solutions included: training teachers and principals to adapt to changes, reforming educational policies, granting sufficient authority to principals, effective time management, establishing specialized work teams, fostering creativity and innovation, developing an educational administrative guide specialized in lean management, and continuous monitoring of work. The study indicated the feasibility of implementing lean management and its success in enhancing school performance, saving time and effort, and maintaining high quality.