This paper addresses the idea that the successful of mathematics reform demands the support of the full educational community including school principals, parents, and students. One of the most important group that affect mathematics reform is school principals. A project related to modifying UAE principals’ perceptions of mathematics is presented. This project consists three steps. In the first step, principals’ perceptions of the nature of Mathematics and its learning and teaching were examined. Results showed that those principals possess many improper perceptions related to Mathematics. In the second step, a professional training program for promoting school principals\' understanding of the new vision of teaching and learning mathematics has developed. This training program comprises two integrated phases: Clarification and conviction, and implementations for principal’s role. It includes a package of paper documents, videotapes, discussion sessions, and group and individual activities. In the third step, the training program is applied on eight principals in UAE. An initial analysis of the qualitative data showed many positive improvements in principals’ perceptions of mathematics education.

This paper addresses the idea that the successful of mathematics reform demands the support of the full educational community including school principals, parents, and students. One of the most important group that affect mathematics reform is school principals. A project related to modifying UAE principals’ perceptions of mathematics is presented. This project consists three steps. In the first step, principals’ perceptions of the nature of Mathematics and its learning and teaching were examined. Results showed that those principals possess many improper perceptions related to Mathematics. In the second step, a professional training program for promoting school principals\'' understanding of the new vision of teaching and learning mathematics has developed. This training program comprises two integrated phases: Clarification and conviction, and implementations for principal’s role. It includes a package of paper documents, videotapes, discussion sessions, and group and individual activities. In the third step, the training program is applied on eight principals in UAE. An initial analysis of the qualitative data showed many positive improvements in principals’ perceptions of mathematics education.

The rapid demand for wood products globally has put pressure on natural forests. Therefore, global efforts are now being directed toward establishing plantation forests to fill the wood supply gap while reducing the pressure on natural forests. This study conceptualized the socio-economic contribution of large-scale plantation forests to adjacent rural communities in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone based on the local perceptions of 125 households interviewed during data collection. To complement the household survey data, two forest-plantation experts were interviewed. The study found that local communities mainly benefit from plantation forestry through employment, improved road conditions, and water well constructions. However, the delivery of these benefits differed among the communities depending on the spatial distance from the plantation forestry central office. Benefits related to improvements in road conditions were perceived higher in the more far away communities. The trend is similar for the perception of benefits from plantation forestry activities: the farthest community with limited opportunities for alternative livelihood options appreciated the plantation forestry benefits highly and as fairly distributed. The results further revealed that perceived benefits from the plantation forestry industry, specifically employment and income, were rather unevenly distributed because the elites were able to capture more benefits than the others. These people were also identified to be influential in the distribution of benefits from the plantation industry. It is suggested that the plantation industry makes a conscious effort to extend the delivery of benefits to more community members regardless of their landholding, social status, or education level to ensure equal access to employment and land lease income, as well as CSR benefits.