Leading under Scrutiny: Exploring the Impact of Cyprus’ Teacher Evaluation System on Instructional Leadership in Primary Schools

Abstract Book of the 10th International Conference on Teaching, Learning and Education

Year: 2025

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Leading under Scrutiny: Exploring the Impact of Cyprus' Teacher Evaluation System on Instructional Leadership in Primary Schools

Maria Karamanidou

ABSTRACT:

In response to national educational reform and alignment with European quality standards, Cyprus has introduced a new teacher evaluation system aimed at enhancing teaching quality and accountability. While intended to drive professional growth and improve learning outcomes, the implications of this system for instructional leadership in primary schools remain underexplored. This study investigates how the new evaluation framework is shaping the leadership practices of headteachers and senior staff, and how primary school teachers perceive its impact on their professional autonomy, motivation, and development.
Drawing on qualitative data from interviews with school leaders and teachers across Cyprus, the study explores the dual roles school leaders now face, as both evaluators and mentors. Using a theoretical lens informed by Leadership for Learning, professionalism and accountability frameworks, and organisational trust theory, the research highlights tensions between developmental and compliance-driven approaches to teacher evaluation.
Preliminary findings suggest that while the new system has the potential to foster reflective practice and professional dialogue, its implementation often lacks the resources, training, and trust necessary to function as a truly supportive mechanism. Teachers report concerns over fairness, workload, and the clarity of criteria, while school leaders express challenges in balancing evaluation duties with capacity-building efforts. This paper contributes to the international discourse on teacher evaluation and school leadership by offering a case study from a small, evolving educational system. It concludes with practical recommendations for policymakers and educational leaders seeking to harmonise accountability with growth-oriented leadership.

Keywords: Teacher Evaluation, Instructional Leadership, Cyprus, School Reform, Educational Leadership, Accountability, Primary Education