School principal leadership in transmigration areas to improve the quality of education

  • Pratiwi Pratiwi 
    Sekolah Dasar Negeri 93 Bengkulu Selatan
    Indonesia
  • Rambat Nur Sasongko
    Universitas Bengkulu
    Indonesia
  • Connie Connie
    Universitas Bengkulu
    Indonesia

Abstract

This study explores the leadership practices of school principals in transmigration areas to improve education quality, identifying key supporting and inhibiting factors, along with potential solutions. The research employed a descriptive qualitative approach with data collection techniques consisting of in-depth interviews, direct observation, and document analysis involving principals, teachers, supervisors, and school committees. Findings indicate that the principal applied an Integrated Adaptive Leadership (IAL) model, which combines charismatic, situational, democratic, transformational, servant, and instructional approaches. This leadership integration proved effective in strengthening teacher competence, participatory school management, and a positive school culture, thereby contributing to improvements in the input, process, and output dimensions of education quality. Supporting factors for leadership success include teacher loyalty, a conducive school climate, and active community engagement, while inhibiting factors consist of limited facilities and infrastructure, low technological competence, insufficient government support, and the socio-economic conditions of the community. Solutions identified encompass capacity strengthening for principals and teachers, greater utilization of information technology, enhancement of community participation, and active advocacy to local government. The novelty of this study lies in its direct exploration of principal leadership in transmigration areas, explicitly linked to educational quality indicators in the Education Report. Practically, the research provides important implications for principals, education authorities, and communities in formulating context-sensitive strategies to improve education quality. Theoretically, its contribution extends the study of educational leadership into marginalized and under-resourced settings.

Keywords
  • School Principal Leadership
  • Quality of Education
  • Transmigration Area Schools
Lisensing Information
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References
  1. Adams, D., & Velarde, J. M. (2021). Leadership in a culturally diverse environment: perspectives from international school leaders in Malaysia. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 41(2), 323–335. https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2020.1732295
  2. Alainati, S. J., Almonawer, N. S., & Al-Hammad, F. (2023). Transformational Leadership in Education: Review of Literature. The International Journal of Business & Management, 11(2), 73–88.
  3. Alzoraiki, M., Ahmad, A. R., Ateeq, A., & Milhem, M. (2024). The role of transformational leadership in enhancing school culture and teaching performance in Yemeni public schools. Frontiers in Education, 9(July), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1413607
  4. Ayaya, Gladys Ingasia. (2020). Equipping students for leadership through community engagement. Improving Schools, 24(3), 277–292. https://doi.org/10.1177/1365480220969296
  5. Banha, F., Flores, A., & Coelho, L. S. (2022). Quantitizing Qualitative Data from Semi-Structured Interviews: A Methodological Contribution in the Context of Public Policy Decision-Making. Mathematics, 10(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/math10193597
  6. Blikstad-Balas, M., Tengberg, M., & Klette, K. (2022). Why – and How – Should We Measure Instructional Quality? Ways of Analyzing Teaching Quality, 9–20. https://doi.org/10.18261/9788215045054-2021-00
  7. Chughtai, M. S., Syed, F., Naseer, S., & Chinchilla, N. (2024). Role of adaptive leadership in learning organizations to boost organizational innovations with change self-efficacy. Current Psychology, 43(33), 27262–27281. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04669-z
  8. Corrigan, J., & Merry, M. (2022). Principal Leadership in a Time of Change. Frontiers in Education, 7(May), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.897620
  9. Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2016). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. SAGE Publications. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=DLbBDQAAQBAJ
  10. Faig, E. Z. (2024). Strategies for transformative leadership in educational settings: realizing effective implementation goals. International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science, 1(41) SE-Original Research Articles. https://doi.org/10.31435/rsglobal_ijitss/30032024/8102
  11. Halimah, H., Syafruddin, S., & Earlyanti, N. I. (2024). The Role of Innovative Leadership in Driving Educational Management Transformation. QALAMUNA: Jurnal Pendidikan, Sosial, Dan Agama, 16(1), 207–218. https://doi.org/10.37680/qalamuna.v16i1.4745
  12. He, P., Guo, F., & Abazie, G. A. (2024). School principals’ instructional leadership as a predictor of teacher’s professional development. Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40862-024-00290-0
  13. Hood, S. L., Dilworth, M. E., & Lindsay, C. A. (2021). Landscape of Teacher Preparation Program Evaluation Policies and Progress. https://doi.org/10.31094/2021/3/5
  14. Huber, S. G., & Pruitt, J. (2024). education sciences Transforming Education Leadership through Multiple Approaches to Develop and Support School Leadership.
  15. Jimerson, Jo Beth, & Quebec Fuentes, Sarah. (2020). Approaches to Instructional Leadership: Organizational Influences in Contexts of (Mis)match. Journal of School Leadership, 31(4), 343–367. https://doi.org/10.1177/1052684620980359
  16. Juharyanto, Juharyanto, Arifin, Imron, Sultoni, Sultoni, Adha, Maulana Amirul, & Qureshi, Muhammad Imran. (2023). Antecedents of Primary School Quality: The Case of Remote Areas Schools in Indonesia. SAGE Open, 13(1), 21582440221144972. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221144971
  17. Kainde, S. J. R., & Mandagi, D. (2023). A Systematic Review of Servant Leadership Outcomes in Education Context. EDUKASIA: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pembelajaran, 4(2), 2563–2574. https://doi.org/10.62775/edukasia.v4i2.627
  18. Khotimah Herlian, & Asep Saepul Bahri. (2025). Strategic Planning in School-Based Management: Evidence from Urban and Rural Schools. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Dan Riset Pendidikan, 4(1), 3164–3170. https://doi.org/10.31004/jerkin.v4i1.2095
  19. Kielblock, S., & Lilla, N. (2025). Rethinking leadership in extended education : how collaborative development drives organizational quality. March, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1545842
  20. Kilag, O. K. T., & Sasan, J. M. (2023). Unpacking the Role of Instructional Leadership in Teacher Professional Development. Advanced Qualitative Research, 1(1), 63–73. https://doi.org/10.31098/aqr.v1i1.1380
  21. Kucharska, W., & Rebelo, T. (2022). Transformational leadership for researcher’s innovativeness in the context of tacit knowledge and change adaptability. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 00(00), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603124.2022.2068189
  22. Lin, Q. (2022). The relationship between distributed leadership and teacher innovativeness: Mediating roles of teacher autonomy and professional collaboration. Frontiers in Psychology, 13(July), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.948152
  23. Losacker, S., Hansmeier, H., Horbach, J., & Liefner, I. (2023). The geography of environmental innovation: a critical review and agenda for future research. Review of Regional Research, 43(2), 291–316. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10037-023-00193-6
  24. Mantula, F., C. Mpofu, A., Y. Mpofu, F., & N. Shava, G. (2024). Qualitative Research Approach in Higher Education: Application, Challenges and Opportunities. East African Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 5(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.46606/eajess2024v05i01.0343a
  25. Maqbool, S., Zafeer, H. M. I., Zeng, P., Mohammad, T., Khassawneh, O., & Wu, L. (2023). The role of diverse leadership styles in teaching to sustain academic excellence at secondary level. Frontiers in Psychology, 13(January), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1096151
  26. Menon, Maria Eliophotou. (2023). Transformational school leadership and the COVID-19 pandemic: Perceptions of teachers in Cyprus. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 53(2), 339–356. https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432231166515
  27. Michel, A. J. (2024). Comparative Analysis of Leadership Theories: Transformational, Servant, Situational, And Skills Approach in Organizational Contexts. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 29(12), 10–16. https://doi.org/10.9790/0837-2912061016
  28. Moya, E. C., & Molonia, T. (2020). Inclusive Leadership and Education Quality : Adaptation and Validation of the Questionnaire “ Inclusive Leadership in Schools ” ( LEI-Q ) to the Italian Context.
  29. Mustafa, F., Nguyen, H. T. M., & Gao, X. (Andy). (2024). The challenges and solutions of technology integration in rural schools: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Educational Research, 126, 102380. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2024.102380
  30. Noor, T., & Nawab, A. (2022). Are school leaders working as instructional leaders? Exploration of school leadership practices in rural Pakistan. Cogent Education, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2022.2109315
  31. Nurdin, Sumin, & Hidayat, V. (2022). The Performance of School Supervision Organizations in the Remote Area of East Aceh Regency. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Current Issues in Education (ICCIE 2021), 640(Iccie 2021), 250–254. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.220129.045
  32. O’shea, C. M., & Zuckerman, S. J. (2022). Comparing Rural and Non-rural Principal’s Instructional Leadership in the Age of ESSA. Rural Educator, 43(3), 10–25. https://doi.org/10.55533/2643-9662.1343
  33. Owan, V. J., Abang, K. B., Idika, D. O., Etta, E. O., & Bassey, B. A. (2023). Exploring the potential of artificial intelligence tools in educational measurement and assessment. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 19(8). https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/13428
  34. Pashmforoosh, R., Irby, B. J., Lara-Alecio, R., & Tong, F. (2023). Building school leaders’ instructional leadership capacity through virtual professional leadership learning communities. Frontiers in Education, 8(April). https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1168734
  35. Podgórska, M., & Detko, Ł. (2023). Situational leadership in project management: empirical research of project managers. Scientific Papers of Silesian University of Technology Organization and Management Series, 2023(168). https://doi.org/10.29119/1641-3466.2023.168.26
  36. Prastiawan, A., Gunawan, I., Putra, A. P., Dewantoro, D. A., Cholifah, P. S., Nuraini, N. L. S., Rini, T. A., Pradipta, R. F., Raharjo, K. M., Prestiadi, D., & Surahman, E. (2020). School Leadership Skills in Educational Institutions. 501(Icet), 438–441. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.201204.085
  37. Sari, J., Giatman, M., & Ernawati, E. (2021). Peran Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah dalam Meningkatkan Mutu Pendidikan. Jurnal Penelitian Dan Pengembangan Pendidikan, 5, 329. https://doi.org/10.23887/jppp.v5i3.34846
  38. Sarong, J. S. (2024). Fostering Collaboration and Team Effectiveness in Educational Leadership: Strategies for Building High-Performing Teams and Networks. Randwick International of Education and Linguistics Science Journal, 5(2), 727–743. https://doi.org/10.47175/rielsj.v5i2.1005
  39. Sasan, J. M., Escultor, G. R., & Larsari, V. N. (2023). The Impact of Transformational Leadership on School Culture. International Journal of Social Service and Research, 3(8), 1899–1907. https://doi.org/10.46799/ijssr.v3i8.334
  40. Shava, G. N. (2021). Principal leadership and school performance: Intergrating instructional and transformational leadership in South African schools context. International Journal of Education and Learning, 3(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.31763/ijele.v3i1.119
  41. Shula, M., van Wyk, C., & Heystek, J. (2022). School leadership practice at faith-based schools through a servant leadership lens. South African Journal of Education, 42(4), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v42n4a2138
  42. Siddiqua, A. (2023). Critique of Research Methodologies and Methods in Educational Leadership. World Journal of Education, 13(4), 16. https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v13n4p16
  43. Sott, M. K., & Bender, M. S. (2025). The Role of Adaptive Leadership in Times of Crisis: A Systematic Review and Conceptual Framework. Merits, 5(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/merits5010002
  44. Sujana, D., Zohriyah, A., & Fauzi, A. (2022). Implementasi Manajemen Kurikulum 2013 dan Gaya Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah Dalam Meningkatkan Mutu Pendidikan. Jurnal Pendidikan Indonesia : Teori, Penelitian, Dan Inovasi, 2(6), 202–217. https://doi.org/10.59818/jpi.v2i6.403
  45. Sun, P., Zuo, X., Liu, X., Huang, H., & Wen, M. (2024). Inclusive Leadership: Beyond Diversity to True Equity. International Journal of Science and Business, 33(1), 34–43. https://doi.org/10.58970/ijsb.2313
  46. Swart, C., Pottas, L., & Maree, D. (2021). Servant School Leadership and Organisational Climate in South African Private Schools. Education Research International, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8568889
  47. Tanzi, M., & Hermanto, H. (2024). The Role of Principals in Implementing Inclusive Education Through Culturally Responsive School Leadership. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 16(1), 570–580. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v16i1.4274
  48. Traver-Martí, Joan Andrés, Ballesteros-Velázquez, Belén, Beldarrain, Nagore Ozerinjauregi, & Maiquez, María del Carmen Cerezo. (2021). Leading the curriculum towards social change: Distributed leadership and the inclusive school. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 51(3), 554–574. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143221991849
  49. Wang, J., Hussain, Y., Mao, C., & Jiang, F. (2025). Effective Educational Management Strategies: Enhancing Institutional Performance and Student Success. Journal of Education, Humanities, and Social Research, 2(2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.71222/yqw52v02
  50. Widiantari, D., Bin Samadi, M. I., & Karim, A. (2022). Charismatic Leadership Effects of Teachers in Fostering Graduate Quality of Senior High School. Journal of Leadership in Organizations, 4(2), 179–190. https://doi.org/10.22146/jlo.74872
  51. Yakob, M., Sahudra, T. M., & Sukirno, S. (2025). Transformational Leadership of Principals: Driving Excellence in Education Quality. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 17(1), 1658–1667. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v17i1.6887
  52. Yuhanita, Y., ZOHRIAH, A., & APUD, A. (2022). Pengaruh Gaya Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah Dan Manajemen Berbasis Sekolah Terhadap Mutu Pendidikan Di Smpit Widya Cendekia Kota Serang. MANAJERIAL : Jurnal Inovasi Manajemen Dan Supervisi Pendidikan, 2(2), 168–178. https://doi.org/10.51878/manajerial.v2i2.1243

Downloads

PDF

Statistic

Abstract Views
: 3 times
PDF
: 0 times