Governing Digital Change Through School Leadership Competencies

Digital transformation is reshaping school management and creating new demands for leadership competencies, decision-making, and resource allocation. This study examines the development of management competencies among general secondary school principals in Uzbekistan and proposes an organizational and economic mechanism to support their professional growth. Drawing on scientific literature, functional analysis, and process modelling, the research identifies key factors influencing effective school leadership in a digital environment. The proposed mechanism integrates competency assessment, targeted professional development, collaborative implementation, and systematic evaluation of managerial performance. Particular attention is given to evidence-based decision-making, efficient resource management, and staff coordination. The findings provide a conceptual foundation for strengthening school governance and improving organizational practices while highlighting the need for further empirical validation.