Social Change Through Servant Leadership: A Case of Government Primary School’s Principal
摘要
Leadership is often visualized as a dominance game, ruling through the exercise of power. However, there is another view called servant leadership, which is exercising leadership by serving others and leading by example. Such a leader garners more resources than are apparently available. A servant leader is grounded and focuses more on the substance of the job, serving others selflessly. A Chinese parable equates such leadership with the river. River flows freely yet fearlessly, permeating every crack of earth and becoming the source of life for others. However, such leaders who do their job silently but profoundly are often ignored. This chapter attempts to bring into the limelight such a servant leader. The journey of Rafia Nikhat as the Principal of the Government Primary School in Raza Nagar is filled with challenges, dedication, and perseverance. She started the school with no structure on the ground and 35 students, with a less-than-fortunate socioeconomic background. She addressed the cause of education by providing children in that area with graded learning, educational tours, health checkups, and various other activities to shape their future for the better. Special efforts were made to address the cause of girls’ education. As a result, the school now accommodates 470 students actively seeking education. This chapter records the urge of Rafia Nikhat to improve the poor socioeconomic background of the residents of Raza Nagar. Anchored in the theoretical framework of servant leadership, this study highlights the principal’s role in mobilizing resources beyond apparent limitations, demonstrating a leadership approach grounded in service rather than in authority. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on leadership in public education, emphasizing the often-overlooked impact of servant leaders in shaping equitable learning environments.