Integrating Educational Leadership and Human Resource Management for Enhanced Teacher Professionalism in Malaysian Public Schools: A Conceptual Framework

This conceptual study examines the amalgamation of educational leadership and human resource management (HRM) for improving teacher professionalism in Malaysian public schools. Leveraging more than twenty years of practical experience and policy involvement, the study integrates pertinent theoretical frameworks, transformational, instructional, and digital leadership, with strategic HRM principles to rectify systemic discrepancies between leadership practice and teacher development. Notwithstanding legislative initiatives such as the Malaysian Education Blueprint (MEB) 2013–2025, leadership and human resource management continue to operate in functional silos inside several institutions, undermining their collective capacity to foster teacher development. The study presents a conceptual framework that integrates leadership approaches with HRM processes, including competency-based recruiting, performance development, mentorship, and digital transformation. This synthesis of research and comparative study delineates the integration of these factors to establish coherent, practical systems that promote professional autonomy, motivation, and enduring educational excellence. The framework aims to assist policymakers and educational leaders in synchronizing institutional objectives with initiatives for enhancing teacher ability. Essential research inquiries encompass the conceptual integration of leadership and HRM, the components linking them to teacher professionalism, and the model that most effectively facilitates this strategic alignment. The research provides actionable insights for quality assurance, policy change, and leadership development. It enhances academic debate by proposing a cohesive theory of educational leadership and human resource management, specifically designed for the Malaysian setting, and seeks to encourage more empirical validation and policy experimentation. This synthesis outlines a method for improving school performance via the intentional and coordinated advancement of human capital.