Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the challenges to expanding the role of counseling school principals. the present study has been conducted in a qualitative style and includes principles, counsellors, teachers and students of West Azarbaijan during the educational year of 2012-2013 and the method of sampling was purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were analyzed using frame work analysis. Accordingly, a thematic frame work and a set of key issues were identified.The most important challenges were identified and categorized in three categories of personal including personality traits, factional action, and competencies; the environmental includes infrastructure, communication-information, motivational - human and leadership and dynamic management and the organizational includes support and support, economic, financial, and socio-cultural. In order to prevent the identified damaging in expanding the role of counseling of school principals, serious efforts are needed from the principals, school staff and educational staff of the country.