Mutual trust and professional reciprocity: teacher trusting principals in Malaysia

Amzat, Ismail Hussein and Yusuf, Habibat Abubakar and Ahmadu, Talatu Salihu and Paramboor, Jafar and Kilat, Nurul Fatimah (2026) Mutual trust and professional reciprocity: teacher trusting principals in Malaysia. In: Handbook of Teachers’ Voices in the Global South Wellbeing, Development and Identity. Springer International Handbooks of Education . Springer Nature, pp. 83-107. ISBN 978-981-95-2422-8

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Abstract

A teacher trusting the principal is a help in return. This chapter presents an in-depth qualitative study using a phenomenological approach to understand the level of teacher trust in their principals and school administration in Malaysia using the elements of trust (relationship and communication, integrity, reliability, care, concern, competence, strategy, and knowledge) developed by Morgan Tschannen-Moran and Gareis (2015b). A semi-structured interview was used with 27 teachers from different schools across Malaysia who enrolled in the master’s program in educational leadership and management. The data was analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Generally, the results revealed that not all teachers in this sample have trust in their principals. Specifically, from the main themes, this study found out that there are major concerns about principals caring for teachers, concerning teachers’ problems, and principals’ competence and knowledge. Hence, many teachers tend to distrust their principals in all aspects of trust features. Implications of this study pertain to principals having a sense of caring, emotional intelligence, and instructional leadership skills through professional training and development to help to improve teacher–principal trust and relationships.

Item Type:	Book Chapter
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Principal trust, relationship, care and concern, integrity, school leadership, teachers, Malaysia
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) > H62 Study and teaching. Research H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) > H65 Schools. Institutes of social sciences L Education > L Education (General) L Education > LC Special aspects of education L Education > LC Special aspects of education > LC65 Social aspects of education
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Education > Department of Social Foundations & Educational Leadership
Depositing User:	Dr. Jafar Paramboor
Date Deposited:	07 May 2026 15:41
Last Modified:	07 May 2026 15:41
Queue Number:	2026-04-Q3095
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/128354

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