Harnessing Emerging Technologies and Data-Driven Strategies in School Leadership: The Greek Public Education System Case Study — Oak Academic Publishing
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Harnessing Emerging Technologies and Data-Driven Strategies in School Leadership: The Greek Public Education System Case Study
Faculty of Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, Patras, Greece
1 Faculty of Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, Patras, Greece
This paper presents a comprehensive review of how emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, and smart infrastructures, are reshaping school leadership and governance. Drawing from both international literature and contextual examples from the Greek public education system, the study examines the opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations of integrating data-informed practices into school administration. The paper first outlines the theoretical foundations of digital educational leadership, data governance, and adaptive institutional change. It then explores specific technological domains (AI-powered decision support systems, learning analytics, blockchain credentialing, chatbots, and IoT applications), highlighting their administrative potential and pedagogical implications. Using Greece as a case study, it analyzes the role of national platforms such as mySchool, eClass, and edupass, while identifying critical implementation barriers such as digital literacy gaps, infrastructure inequities, and legal ambiguities. The paper culminates in a set of policy proposals centered on strategic leadership development, ethical data practices, inclusive digital infrastructures, and participatory governance models. Emphasizing that digital transformation must be pedagogically grounded and equity-driven, the paper argues that AI in school governance should serve not merely as a tool for efficiency, but as a catalyst for ethical, inclusive, and adaptive educational change. By synthesizing theoretical insights with practice-based evidence, this review contributes to the global conversation on AI and Open Access in education, while offering actionable pathways for the future of school leadership in digitally evolving public systems.
KeywordsArtificial Intelligence in EducationDigital School LeadershipData-Driven GovernanceEducational Technology PolicyPublic Education SystemsSchool Administration in GreeceEthical Data Use
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