Emerging Leaders Forum and ICP Council

Africa

EPA: Eswatini Principals Association / Swaziland Principals Association is a professional organization that supports effective school leadership and professional development in Eswatini. It shares news and events related to education in the country on its Facebook page ¹.
CHASS: Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools is an association of school principals in Ghana that aims to provide quality and accessible education for all. It organizes various seminars, dialogues, and conferences for its members and partners ².
KESSHA: Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association is a professional organization that consists of about 7,000 members from public and private secondary schools in Kenya. It offers exemplary leadership, training, and partnerships for quality education. It also fosters international understanding, goodwill, and respect for human rights among its members ³.
LESPA: Lesotho School Principals’ Association is a professional organization that represents the interests and views of school principals in Lesotho. It provides a collegial forum for mutual understanding and support of its members. It also advocates for a practical code of conduct for schools to address the challenges of indiscipline ⁴ ⁵.
ANCOPSS: All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools is a professional organization that comprises of current and past principals of secondary schools in Nigeria. It is a non-political and non-sectoral body that promotes the highest possible ethical and educational standards in schools. It also assists members to give effective and well-directed service to their schools and communities ⁶.
SAHISA: Southern African Heads of Independent Schools Association is a professional organization that supports the professional development and work of heads of independent schools in Southern Africa. It has over 400 member schools across various socio-economic and cultural communities. It also provides networking opportunities, educational workshops, and advocacy for its members ⁷ ⁸.
SAPA: South African Principals Association is a professional organization that aims to enhance the skills and professional development of principals and deputy principals from mainly public primary and high schools in South Africa. It is based on the principles of non-alignment to any political party or organization, or to any other educator body or union. It also offers various benefits and services to its members, such as training, events, newsletters, and discounts ⁹.
ASSHU: National Association Secondary School Headteachers of Uganda is a professional organization that unites and empowers the headteachers of secondary schools in Uganda. It also works with other stakeholders and partners to improve the quality of education in the country. It organizes annual general meetings, workshops, sports events, and other activities for its members

Americas

ESSARP: The English Speaking Scholastic Association of the River Plate (ESSARP) is a non-profit organization that provides academic support and services to English-speaking schools in Argentina. ESSARP organizes courses, events, exams, and publications for teachers and students. ESSARP also represents its member schools in national and international forums ¹ ²
BCPVPA: The British Columbia Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association (BCPVPA) is a voluntary professional association that represents school leaders employed as principals and vice-principals in BC’s public education system. The BCPVPA provides its members with professional services and supports, such as advocacy, leadership development, and networking. The BCPVPA also works with other education partners to inform and influence government education policies ³ ⁴
OPC: The Ontario Principals’ Council (OPC) is an independent professional association that represents principals and vice-principals in Ontario’s public schools. The OPC provides its members with professional learning opportunities, legal advice, and protection services. The OPC also advocates for the interests of its members and the students they serve at the provincial level.

Asia – Oceania

AGPPA: The Australian Government Primary Principals Association is the peak body of government school primary principals in Australia, representing over 5,300 primary school leaders across all states and territories. AGPPA aims to promote the profession of teaching and school leadership, advocate on behalf of state/territory government primary principals and students, and provide a structure for the exchange of ideas and initiatives relevant to state/territory government primary education ¹
AHISA: The Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia is a national association for principals of independent schools in Australia, with responsibility for some 430,000 students in the primary and secondary education sector. AHISA aims to optimise the opportunities for the education and welfare of Australia’s young people through the maintenance of collegiality, high standards of professional practice and conduct among its members. AHISA also works with other education partners to inform and influence government education policies ²
APPA: The Australian Primary Principals Association is a national organisation that represents the interests of primary school principals, deputy principals and assistant principals across all sectors (government, Catholic and independent) in Australia. APPA provides professional services and supports for its members, such as advocacy, leadership development, and networking. APPA also collaborates with other national and international organisations to promote quality education for all students ³
ASEPA: The Australian Special Education Principals Association is a national organisation that supports principals and leaders of special education in Australia. ASEPA provides professional learning opportunities, resources, and advice for its members, as well as representing their views and needs to various stakeholders. ASEPA also promotes the rights and achievements of students with disabilities and additional learning needs ⁴
ASPA: The Australian Secondary Principals Association is a federation of state and territory associations that represents secondary school principals across Australia. ASPA provides a voice for secondary principals on national issues, such as curriculum, assessment, funding, and wellbeing. ASPA also facilitates professional learning and networking opportunities for its members, as well as fostering partnerships with other educational organisations ⁵
CaSPA: The Catholic Secondary Principals Australia is a national body that represents the principals of Catholic secondary schools in Australia. CaSPA advocates for Catholic education at the national level, as well as providing support and professional development for its members. CaSPA also fosters collaboration and communication among Catholic secondary principals and other educational leaders ⁶
IPSHA: The Independent Primary School Heads of Australia is an incorporated body representing the heads of independent primary schools in Australia. IPSHA provides access to an Australian wide collegial network of independent primary school educators and leaders. IPSHA also promotes the unique nature and diversity of independent primary schools, provides collegial support for members, formulates appropriate position statements and policy documents relating to independent primary education, and delivers and facilitates quality professional learning opportunities ⁷
NSWSPC: The New South Wales Secondary Principals’ Council is an incorporated professional association that represents over 500 principals of government high schools, central schools and schools for special purposes with secondary enrolments across the state. NSWSPC enhances the effectiveness of NSW public secondary school principals through advocacy, support, professional learning and collegial networks. NSWSPC also provides advice and welfare support for principals, as well as representing their views to the Secretary of the NSW Department of Education on key issues, policy and procedures ⁸
NTCSSP: The National Training Centre for Secondary School Principals is a training institution established by the Ministry of Education of China in 1999. NTCSSP aims to improve the quality of secondary school principals in China by providing various training programs, such as pre-service training, in-service training, overseas training, online training, etc. NTCSSP also conducts research on educational leadership and management, as well as promoting international exchange and cooperation among secondary school principals ⁹
FPA: The Fiji Principals Association is a professional organisation that represents the interests and concerns of primary and secondary school principals in Fiji. FPA provides opportunities for professional growth and development for its members, as well as promoting quality education for all students in Fiji. FPA also engages in dialogue and consultation with relevant stakeholders on educational issues affecting schools and principals¹⁰

Europe

SURE-FIRE: The Finnish Association of Principals (SURE-FIRE) is a professional organization that represents the interests and rights of principals and deputy principals in Finland. SURE-FIRE aims to promote the quality and development of education, leadership and management in schools. SURE-FIRE also provides its members with various services and benefits, such as training, legal advice, networking and publications ¹ ²
CSL: The Centre for School Leadership (CSL) is an initiative of the Department of Education and Skills, the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) in Ireland. CSL provides professional learning opportunities and supports for school leaders at all stages of their careers. CSL also conducts research and evaluation on school leadership issues and contributes to policy development and implementation ³ ⁴
IPPN: The Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) is the professional body for leaders of primary schools in Ireland. IPPN supports the professional growth and well-being of its members by providing various services and resources, such as mentoring, coaching, advocacy, publications, events and online platforms. IPPN also represents the views and needs of its members to various stakeholders, such as government, media, parents and unions ⁵ ⁶
NAPD: The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) is the professional association for secondary school leaders in Ireland. NAPD supports the professional development and welfare of its members by offering a range of services and benefits, such as training, advice, networking, conferences and publications. NAPD also advocates for the interests of its members and the students they serve at the national level ⁷ ⁸
VO-raad: The VO-raad is a Dutch association of school boards and schools in secondary education. The VO-raad represents the interests of secondary education at the government, politics, business and social organizations. The VO-raad also promotes the quality of education by facilitating school boards and school leaders in fulfilling their tasks ⁹ ¹⁰
ASCL: The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) is a UK professional association and trade union for leaders of schools and colleges. ASCL provides its members with professional services and support, such as advice, guidance, representation, training, events and publications. ASCL also influences education policy and practice at the national level by engaging with government, media, employers and other stakeholders ¹¹ ¹²

Common Values and Principles

Common Values

Professional Development: Most associations focus on the professional growth of school principals through training, seminars, and workshops.
Quality Education: A consistent aim is to provide or facilitate high-quality education, often through partnerships and collaborations.
Ethical Standards: Many associations emphasize the importance of ethics in school leadership, advocating for high moral and professional standards.
Community Engagement: Several associations extend their mission to include service to their schools and the broader communities, recognizing the role of education in community development.
Inclusivity and Accessibility: Some organizations aim to make education accessible to all, irrespective of socio-economic or cultural backgrounds.
Collaboration: Networking and mutual support among members and with other stakeholders are often highlighted.
Advocacy: Many associations are involved in advocating for educational policies that benefit their members and the educational system as a whole.

Common Principles

Non-Political: Several associations make it clear that they are non-political entities, focused solely on educational objectives.
Holistic Approach: Beyond academics, some associations aim for a balanced development approach, addressing issues like discipline and human rights.
Global Understanding: There is often an international perspective, fostering global understanding and respect for diversity.
Transparency: Some organizations offer regular updates and news through newsletters or social media, maintaining open communication channels with members.