The study aimed to explore alternative methods for development and support of both beginner and experienced school heads, and their deputies. The research was exploratory using mixed methods and was conducted in Shinyanga Municipality. Face- to -face interviews, questionnaires, and documents were used for data collection. It was revealed that orientation is just conducted for beginner school heads with regard to: financial management; office management; dealing with indiscipline issues; community relations; planning and school vision and mission development. It was also found that retired educational officers: school heads, district educational officers, school inspectors and school heads with up- dated knowledge and skills could be used as mentors or coaches. Findings further revealed that experienced school heads could be used as coaches or mentors. Findings also showed that school heads practiced informal coaching through mobile phones. Regarding follow-ups results showed that no follow-ups of ex- leadership students were done. Surprising and interesting results were: firstly, deputy school heads were assigned many responsibilities while having no formal specialised leadership training, secondly, schools hardly conducted research. Due to methodological limitations and the nature of research design, a more conclusive investigation was suggested to be carried out. Generally, it was concluded that use of trained retired educational leaders and experienced school heads could supplement the work done by specialised training institutes
Keywords: School boards, School leadership preparation strategy., cost for employing coaches or mentors, leaders of privately owned schools
