Exploring the metaphoric notions of educational leadership in the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai
Date of Award
8-1-2011
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Master of Education (M. Ed.)
Department
Institute for Educational Development, Karachi
Abstract
This research seeks to examine the various metaphors used in the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai to signify notions of leadership. In this regard, this research has unpacked some meanings about the notions of leadership and has attempted to contribute to the current literature on Educational Leadership and Management. For this purpose, the has study adopted a qualitative research paradigm in order to explore the metaphors and the associated meanings through doing a textual analysis of the poetic texts by the Bhitai, followed by semi-structured interviews of the experts who have researched on the life and works of Bhitai. In this respect, four experts were identified (based on purposive sampling method). The analysis has focused on the interplay of the data related to the textually generated meanings and the scholastic comments. The overall interpretation of the poetry informs that the poetry of Bhitai has a great potential to describe the metaphors of leadership. The findings of the study illustrate key metaphors used to signify notions of leadership such as; leadership as a journey, a process of personal power, empowerment, inspiration and personal development. These metaphors convey Bhaitai's ideas about nature and qualities of leadership which in turn have the potential to influence current notions and practices of leadership in general as well as in education in particular. Some of the qualities that emerge from the metaphors convey meanings such as; concept of struggle, power of longing in achieving one's goals and importance of being reflexive. The whole research process informs about the power of metaphors to unpack the varied meanings of leadership.
Recommended Citation
Chelani, G. (2011). Exploring the metaphoric notions of educational leadership in the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai (Unpublished master's dissertation). Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.