Research & Publications
Bridging Theory and Practice
PhD research on how headteachers build resilience in challenging environments — from a researcher who has lived it across four schools.
Educational Leadership & Resilience
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Institution: Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Terengganu
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Puspa Liza Binti Ghazali
Status: Final stage
Research Focus
The research explores how headteachers in Malaysia's high-performing primary schools develop, sustain, and model resilience — particularly during adversity such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Through semi-structured interviews with high-performing headteachers and education experts across Malaysia, the study identifies resilience factors that enable school leaders to maintain performance under pressure.
Why This Matters
School leadership burnout is a growing crisis globally. Headteachers face mounting pressure from academic targets, parental expectations, policy changes, and — since 2020 — pandemic disruption. Dr. Hamidah's research doesn't come from an ivory tower: it's grounded in her own experience managing schools of up to 1,700 students through exactly these challenges. The resulting model provides a framework that education systems and private school groups can use to develop resilient leaders.
Published Papers
Modelling Resilient Educational Leaders for Resilient Schools: Malaysian High Performing Primary School Head Teachers
Authors: Hamidah Che Abdul Hamid & Puspa Liza Ghazali
Journal: The Journal of Management Theory and Practice (JMTP), Vol. 3, No. 2
Publisher: Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA)
DOI: 10.37231/jmtp.2022.3.2.221
Read Abstract ↓
In this paper, we explore the modelling of resiliency among educational leaders which promote to resilient schools. The pandemic has a firmer grip on everybody and batters each of people more physically, mentally, and emotionally. Disruptions and change in daily activities caused by the pandemic have led to uncontrolled feelings of stress. The high performing head teachers have sustainable work done and they find ways to develop the resilience to focus their work from distractions. This study explored resilient factors and challenges of seven of high performing head teachers and two expertise from a few states in Malaysia. Based on the data collected through semi-structured interviews the study seeks to identify the positive relationship between resilience and positive school outcomes.
Developing of Comprehensive Resilient Educational Model for Head Teachers' High Performance in Malaysia Primary School
Authors: Hamidah Che Abdul Hamid & Puspa Liza Ghazali
Journal: International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences (HRMARS)
Pages: 15 pages
This paper develops a comprehensive model for building resilience specifically tailored to headteachers in Malaysia's primary school system, addressing the unique challenges of the Malaysian education context including cultural, administrative, and policy factors.
Resilient Capacity of Malaysian Schools' Headteachers in Adversity: A Review
Authors: Hamidah Che Abdul Hamid & Puspa Liza Ghazali
Type: Conference Paper (March 2021)
Platform: Available on ResearchGate
A literature review examining the resilient capacity of headteachers in Malaysian schools during adversity, laying the theoretical groundwork for the PhD's primary research.
Research Expertise
Educational Leadership
How school leaders drive performance, manage stakeholders, and create conditions for academic excellence — from theory to practice.
Resilience in Education
The psychological and organisational factors that enable headteachers to sustain performance during disruption, including pandemic-era challenges.
School Transformation
Practical frameworks for turning around school performance — evidenced by a 300% improvement in exam results at SK Islah.
Digital Transformation
Integrating technology into school operations and learning, recognised through consecutive DUTA Awards for digital utilisation.
Interested in Collaboration or Speaking?
Dr. Hamidah is available for academic collaboration, speaking engagements on educational leadership, and advisory roles.
Get in Touch →