The Impact of Project-Based Learning on Leadership Skills: Perceptions of Moroccan Secondary School Students

Abstract

Education has a crucial role in equipping students with skills needed for success in academic and professional contexts. Project-Based Learning (PBL) is an instructional approach that fosters such skills by engaging students in collaborative, real-world tasks that require negotiation, decision-making, and communication. The present study examines the impact of PBL on leadership skills, in particular, of high school students in Khouribga, Morocco. A mixed-method approach was employed to collect data through post-course questionnaires and semi-structured interviews from 45 students following a five-week PBL course. The findings revealed that students perceived strong improvements in their leadership skills, particularly in confidence, fluency and ability to organize ideas. Additionally, participants reported that collaboration and shared responsibilities in PBL enhanced their leadership abilities, enabling them to navigate and facilitate discussions more effectively. The findings support the implementation of methods such as PBL to promote strong educational experiences that prepare for success beyond the classroom.