The role of department heads as change agents in educational reform

The implementation of education reform in the United Arab Emirates imposes a change agent role on secondary school department heads. However, the assistance-intensive process is inhibited by the current educational structure. As the concept of teacher empowerment becomes accepted, some department heads display the ability to develop a professional learning community while others are unable to do so. This study focuses on the present and ideal role of the department head as a change agent facilitating the implementation of education reform in the UAE.