Problems Experienced by School Administrators Working in Transport Schools and Proposed Solutions

Taşımalı Okullarda Görev Yapan Okul Yöneticilerinin Yaşadıkları Sorunlar ve Çözüm Önerileri

Abstract

This study aims to systematically examine the problems encountered by administrators in schools providing transportation services and to develop concrete solutions to these problems. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 administrators (school principals, deputy principals, and assistant principals) working in schools providing transportation-based education in Samsun Province. Five open-ended questions were posed to the school administrators, and the responses were analyzed using content analysis techniques.  The research findings show that the organizational flaws in transportation-based education, lack of supervision, and problems in the tender processes create a heavy burden on school administrators. Transporting students from different grades with the same services extends waiting times and negatively affects the education process. In addition, assigning additional responsibilities such as service supervision to school administrators leads to inefficiency due to lack of competence. Other problems encountered in transportation-based education include insufficient parental involvement in education, economic inadequacies, and seasonal agricultural work, which negatively affect student attendance. As a result of the research, a series of recommendations were made to increase the effectiveness of transportation-based education. These include strengthening control mechanisms, making tender processes transparent and quality-oriented, planning alternative routes, and preventing school administrators from being assigned additional tasks. Additionally, awareness programs to increase parent participation and training programs for teachers and bus drivers are recommended. These findings raise awareness of the challenges faced in transportation-based education and contribute to the development of educational policies in this area.