SCHOOL LEADERS' PREPAREDNESS FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DRIVEN EDUCATIONAL REFORMS

Abstract

This study investigated the preparedness of school leaders to adopt artificial intelligence (AI)
driven educational reforms in public secondary schools in Enugu State. Specifically, the
study sought to: (1) determine the level of awareness school heads have regarding AI-driven
reforms; and (2) assess the capacity of these leaders to adopt such reforms. The study was
guided by two research questions. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the
study. The population of the study comprised all the public secondary school principals and
vice principals in Enugu State, totaling approximately 642 school leaders. A stratified random
sampling technique was used to select 210 respondents from the three senatorial zones of the
state. A validated structured questionnaire titled “AI Reforms Preparedness Inventory
(AIRPI)” was used to collect data for the study. Data were analyzed using frequencies,
percentages, mean and standard deviation. The findings showed that school leaders were
aware of AI-driven educational reforms in public secondary schools in Enugu State. The
findings further revealed that school heads articulate clear vision, possess sufficient technical
knowledge, effectively communicate the benefit of AI-driven reform to teachers and allocate
necessary resources for AI-driven reforms. Based on the findings of the study, it was
recommended that State education board should regularize the organization of compulsory AI
leadership training for all school heads. This is with a view to sustaining their awareness of
adoption of AI-driven educational reforms.