Abstract

This study aimed to identify the challenges facing school principals in the Sultanate of Oman in improving the level of students' performance in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and the mechanisms for overcoming them. To achieve this, the study followed the qualitative approach by using the qualitative research method. Data was collected using interviews, which were conducted with seven school principals whose schools have taken TIMSS in 2015 and 2019 and are still in their schools. The results of the study revealed a set of challenges that hinder school principals' efforts to improve students' performance in the TIMSS tests, including students whose achievement level is below the required level, low student motivation, lack of support provided by the Ministry of Education, and the weakness of teachers' skills in formulating TIMSS questions. The study suggested mechanisms that can limit these challenges, including those related to school management, such as enhancing use of technology in the educational process, involving guardian practices in international studies, and some of them are related to the Ministry of Education, such as providing financial support to schools, and exchanging visits between schools, providing moral support to schools, and motivating teachers. A number of recommendations were made, the most important of which are creating the appropriate climate for learning, training national cadres, and coordinating with the departments for educational evaluation to continue the evaluation process through the school year.