Change Management Practices in the Implementation of Educational Policies in Schools

" Objective - The Malaysian education policy detailed in the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013- 2025 (PPPM) calls for a transformation in the education system, aims to realise the country's aspirations, and produce talented human capital. However, according to several reports, the quality of Malaysian education remains moderate. To ensure effective implementation of new educational policies, change management approaches, such as the 'Hall and Hord Intervention Function Model', can be considered. However, questions such as the extent to which change management is implemented in schools and whether it can foster positive acceptance of educational policy reform efforts have arisen. Methodology/Technique - A descriptive case study was employed in two urban and two rural national secondary schools in Perak to gain comprehensive insights into the issue by gathering qualitative data from 19 school administrators through interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted to systematically examine participants' perspectives, yielding themes and insights, with the Intervention Function Model as a reference. Findings - This study identified change management elements across all six intervention functions, with notable improvement needed in Function 2, 'Planning and Providing Resources'. Although this change management practice is not implemented in a structured manner or grounded in a clear theoretical framework, the case study identified 10 themes that map to six functions in the Intervention Function Model, reflecting change management practices that influence the acceptance of education policy implementation. Novelty - This study provides empirical support for the Intervention Function Model as a practical framework for change management. Policymakers may evaluate the progress of policy implementation more systematically. Educational leaders can employ it as a systematic approach to enhance the adoption of new policy practices among educators. Type of Paper - Empirical"