Boon, Zoe Suan Loy

1992, Boon, Zoe Suan Loy

Mentoring is a professional development strategy that has been generating considerate interest amongst those involved in the training of educational administrators, both in Singapore and elsewhere.

This study examines the nature of the relationship between mentoring principals (mentors) and their pre-matched trainee principals (proteges). Findings are based on the mentoring experiences of 24 pairs of mentors and proteges over the period 1987 to 1990. A pair-wise questionnaire survey technique was used to gather initial data. This was supplemented by in-depth semi-structured interviews with randomly selected mentors and proteges.

Data obtained indicated that the 'structured' mentoring scheme which was part of Singapore's principalship training programme benefited both the mentors and proteges. Findings suggested that the proteges benefitted more than the mentors. However, proteges' gains were found to be dependent on who their mentors were and how they or their mentors behaved. Mentors, on the other hand, gained irrespective of the personal qualities and behaviours of their proteges.

The behaviours of mentors and proteges were more critical than their personal qualities in determining the extent of benefits to be obtained from mentoring. Effective mentorships were likely to result if mentors and proteges related to one another in a mutually open and trusting atmosphere.

The findings suggest that the Singapore mentoring programme can be improved and refined in several ways. With this in mind, implications for practice are drawn, and these relate to Ministry officials, trainers, mentoring principals and trainee principals.