Beyers, RenéDu Plessis, A. (Andre)2024-09-112024-09-112023-06-30Beyers, R. & Du Plessis, A. 2023, 'Factors that influence public school principals’ professional discretion : perspectives of South African public-school principals', Perspectives in Education, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 33-48. https://DOI.org/10.38140/pie.v41i2.7067.0258-2236 (print)2519-593X (online)10.38140/pie.v41i2.7067http://hdl.handle.net/2263/98126Through the lens of the contextual intelligence theory, this article utilises previous empirical research studies as a base to support the application of professional discretion practices of public-school principals. The study focused in particular on the factors that influence or limit their use of professional discretion in their daily tasks. A mixed-methods study was conducted in which quantitative survey data were used to inform the questions that were asked to participants during semi-structured interviews. The findings suggest that public-school principals are susceptible to both internal and external factors that could limit or influence the application of their professional discretion. Even though public-school principals within a particular school district operate under the same set of policies, it is evident that some principals are more inclined to apply professional discretion than others.en© 2023 René Beyers, Dr André du Plessis. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.AccountabilityContextual intelligenceProfessional discretionPublic-school principalsSchool leadershipSchool managementSDG-04: Quality educationArticle