Volume-13, Issue-1 (January-June)
2026
Pages: 191-198
Open Access
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20051085
DRIVING EDUCATIONAL TRANSFORMATION: THE ROLE OF STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP IN IMPLEMENTING NEP 2020 IN NORTH INDIA’S K-12 SCHOOLS
Navinder Kaur Ruprai & Manpreet Kaur
India
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study examines the role of strategic leadership in driving the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its impact on educational quality in India’s K-12 sector. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 600 educators across North India and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, ANOVA, and regression
techniques. Strategic leadership was treated as the independent variable, while NEP implementation, student learning outcomes & academic achievements and teacher effectiveness & innovation in teaching practices were considered dependent variables. The findings revealed that strategic leadership has a strong and statistically significant influence on NEP implementation, teacher effectiveness and innovation in teaching practices, and student learning outcomes and academic achievements. Leadership practices such as clear vision-setting, effective strategic planning, and informed decision-making serve as key drivers of institutional effectiveness and successful policy implementation. The findings emphasized the need to strengthen leadership capacity, encourage ongoing professional
development, and ensure efficient allocation of resources to achieve meaningful educational reforms. The study contributes to the literature on educational leadership and provides practical implications for policymakers, school administrators, and educators.
Keywords: [Strategic Leadership, NEP 2020, Educational Transformation, Teacher Effectiveness, Innovation in Teaching Practices, Student Learning Outcomes, Academic Achievements]
This study examines the role of strategic leadership in driving the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its impact on educational quality in India’s K-12 sector. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 600 educators across North India and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, ANOVA, and regression
techniques. Strategic leadership was treated as the independent variable, while NEP implementation, student learning outcomes & academic achievements and teacher effectiveness & innovation in teaching practices were considered dependent variables. The findings revealed that strategic leadership has a strong and statistically significant influence on NEP implementation, teacher effectiveness and innovation in teaching practices, and student learning outcomes and academic achievements. Leadership practices such as clear vision-setting, effective strategic planning, and informed decision-making serve as key drivers of institutional effectiveness and successful policy implementation. The findings emphasized the need to strengthen leadership capacity, encourage ongoing professional
development, and ensure efficient allocation of resources to achieve meaningful educational reforms. The study contributes to the literature on educational leadership and provides practical implications for policymakers, school administrators, and educators.
Keywords: [Strategic Leadership, NEP 2020, Educational Transformation, Teacher Effectiveness, Innovation in Teaching Practices, Student Learning Outcomes, Academic Achievements]