The Victorian Education Department is considering a plan to hire its senior school leaders and principals from places other than the education arena.

Tender documents submitted for research into school staff management claim that there is a severe shortage of people willing to become principals. One suggestion claimed looking outside the school system might be the best way to identify and recruit new blood.

The idea has been slammed by several within the education sector.

Chris Cotching from the Australian Principals Federation has condemned the plan as a foolish endeavour.

“It's insulting to say that someone who's been a teacher for 15 to 20 years who puts their hand up to be a principal or an [assistant principal] hasn't got the insight and calibre and capacity to take the next step forward in their career,” he said.

“That reflects a misrepresentation or a rather disconnect between the leadership of this state in terms of education and what actually is needed at the grassroots.”

The Victorian Government has indicated it is considering several such proposals, but no concrete decision has been made either way.