Performative Management in Technical and Vocational High Schools A Structural Analysis of Evaluation Failure, Weak Supervision, and the Decline of Genuine

Technical and vocational high schools play a vital role in developing a skilled, employable workforce capable of meeting national economic needs. However, recent field reports and empirical studies indicate the emergence of a problematic administrative pattern in some institutions: performative management. This management style prioritizes documentation, ceremonial activities, superficial reporting, and appearance-oriented performance over authentic instructional leadership, workshop supervision, and skill-based educational outcomes.This study investigates the structural drivers of performative management within Iranian technical and vocational high schools and analyzes its consequences for students, teachers, and the national skills system. Using a descriptive–analytical methodology, the research explores three core dimensions: the limitations of current evaluation systems for school principals, the weakness of field-based supervision and professional oversight, and the absence of robust, measurable indicators for assessing students’ practical competencies and workshop quality.Findings reveal that the existing evaluation framework unintentionally rewards administrative visibility rather than actual effectiveness, enabling low-performing principals to mask deficiencies through polished reports. Similarly, the lack of specialized supervisors and unannounced inspections reinforces a culture of surface-level performance. Most critically, the absence of national indicators for measuring practical skills, industry relevance, and post-graduation employment outcomes undermines the credibility of technical education.The study concludes that performative management poses a significant threat to educational equity, teacher motivation, and the employability of graduates. It recommends systemic reforms aimed at restructuring evaluation criteria, strengthening specialized supervision, and establishing nationwide indicators for skill assessment and industry alignment.

کلیدواژه ها:

Performative Management ، Technical and Vocational Education ، Skill Assessment ، Educational Evaluation ، Supervisory Systems