Under the new trends of basic education reform such as the digital transformation of education, the strengthening of science education, and the integration of ideological and political education, the role of school principals is evolving from traditional administrative managers to scientific leaders with both strategic vision and practical empowerment capabilities. Based on classic management theories and the policy requirements of basic education reform in the new era, this paper constructs a five-dimensional core governance ability model for school principals, which includes strategic coordination ability, scientific judgment ability, rational decision-making ability, rights and responsibilities control ability, and team cohesion ability. With the "art of balance" as its core essence, this model integrates practical elements such as artificial intelligence empowerment, innovative talent cultivation, and educational method reform to systematically explain the connotations, boundaries, and practical paths of each ability, providing theoretical support and practical paradigms for the improvement of principals' professional qualities, the connotative development of schools, and the implementation of educational reforms.
Qiu Benchun (2026) studied this question.