School Principals' Perception of the Challenges and Opportunities of School Digitalization

Juni Astuti

Authors

Juni Astuti Universitas PGRI Palembang Author

Keywords:

Class Observation Management, Academic Supervision, Teacher Performance

Abstract

This study aims to deeply analyze Indonesian school principals' perceptions regarding the dualism of managerial challenges and pedagogical opportunities presented by school digitalization, and how these perceptions influence their digital leadership strategies. Methodology: Using an Exploratory Qualitative Design with an Interpretive Phenomenology approach, research subjects (school principals) were selected via Purposive and Maximum Variation Sampling to cover diverse geographical contexts and school levels. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, semi-open questionnaires, observation, and document analysis, then analyzed thematically. Results: The dualistic perception of school principals crystallized into three Digital Mindset Typologies (Visionary-Adaptive, Pragmatic- Selective, and Conventional-Resistive), which represents the study's primary Novelty. The main challenges centered on managerial constraints (HR resistance and BOS budget allocation), while opportunities focused on personalized learning. Practical Implications: The findings urge the Ministry of Education to redesign differentiated Digital Leadership training programs based on the mindset typologies and to revise funding policies for greater flexibility. Contribution: Theoretically, this study enriches the digital leadership literature by presenting a model of perception contextualized to the Indonesian reality (Adaptive Digital Leadership).

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