Exploring the Influence of Principal Leadership on the Educational Quality of Public Middle Schools in Palembang

Authors

  • Rosida Rosida Universitas PGRI Palembang Author

Keywords:

Principal Leadership, Educational Quality, Public Middle Schools, Teacher Professionalism, School Climate

Abstract

This study aims to examine the role of principal leadership in improving the quality of education in Palembang State Junior High Schools. This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach to understand leadership practices, strategies, and their impact on teacher performance and student learning outcomes. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation. The results show that effective principal leadership is characterized by democratic decision-making, effective communication, and the ability to motivate teachers to improve the quality of learning. In addition, the principal's role as a manager, supervisor, and innovator contributes significantly to the achievement of educational goals. The implementation of collaborative leadership also creates a positive school climate and supports teacher professionalism and student learning development. This study concludes that principal leadership plays a strategic role in achieving school excellence and improving the overall quality of education. Further research can focus on comparing leadership models across various educational contexts.

References

Azorin, C., Harris, A., & Jones, M. (2021). Distributed leadership in education: A review of the literature. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 49(3), 367–385. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143220905597

Bush, T. (2021). Models of educational leadership: A review. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 49(1), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143220970691

Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2023). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Fullan, M. (2021). The principal: Three keys to maximizing impact. Jossey-Bass.

Gümüş, S., Bellibaş, M. S., Gümüş, E., & Hallinger, P. (2021). A systematic review of studies on leadership for learning: Examining the development of the field. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 49(2), 203–225. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143220925940

Gurr, D. (2022). School leadership in a changing world. Journal of Educational Administration, 60(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-06-2021-0131

Hallinger, P., & Murphy, J. (2023). Instructional leadership and school improvement: A review of recent research. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 51(2), 235–254. https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432221082531

Hargreaves, A., & O'Connor, M. T. (2022). Collaborative professionalism: When teaching together means learning for all. Corwin Press.

Harris, A. (2022). Distributed leadership: Matters of style and substance. Springer.

Harris, A., & Jones, M. (2021). Distributed leadership for school improvement: The evidence. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003154440

Heck, R. H., & Hallinger, P. (2021). Assessing the conditions for school improvement. Routledge.

Hennink, M., Hutter, I., & Bailey, A. (2022). Qualitative research methods (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Hidayat, R., & Patras, Y. E. (2021). The role of principal’s leadership in improving educational quality. Journal of Education and Learning (EduLearn), 15(2), 180–188. https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v15i2.18247

Huber, S. G. (2021). School leadership and management: World school leadership study. Springer Nature.

Kawulich, B. (2021). Data collection methods in qualitative research. In Research Anthology on Innovative Research Methods and Professional Etiquette (pp. 522–545). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-7472-0.ch028

Lambert, V. A., & Lambert, C. E. (2021). Qualitative descriptive research: An acceptable design. Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research, 25(1), 1–4.

Leithwood, K., Harris, A., & Hopkins, D. (2021). Seven strong claims about successful school leadership revisited. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 31(1), 5–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243453.2019.1597277

Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2021). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Mulyasa, E. (2022). Manajemen dan kepemimpinan kepala sekolah. Bumi Aksara.

Ng, D. T. K., & Hu, J. (2023). Digital leadership in schools: A systematic review of the literature. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 51(5), 1120–1140. https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432211010815

Noble, H., & Heale, R. (2021). Triangulation in research, with examples. Evidence-Based Nursing, 24(3), 67–68. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2021-103422

Northouse, P. G. (2022). Leadership: Theory and practice (9th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Pont, B. (2021). School leadership for education system reform. European Journal of Education, 56(2), 173–188. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12446

Robinson, O. C. (2022). Sampling in interview-based qualitative research: A theoretical and practical guide. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 19(1), 21–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2011.631230

Sani, A. S., & Syamsuar. (2022). Transformational leadership in the era of Kurikulum Merdeka. Journal of Educational Management and Leadership, 3(1), 45–56.

Silverman, D. (2021). Interpreting qualitative data (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Suhasni, S., & Mansur, A. (2021). Improving school quality through principal managerial skills in Indonesia. International Journal of Educational Research and Review, 4(3), 112–120.

Suyatno, S., Jumintono, J., Pambudi, D. I., Mardati, A., & Wantini, W. (2021). Strategy of spiritual leadership in developing a religious culture in primary schools. International Journal of Instruction, 14(1), 765–782.

Tenny, S., Brannan, G. D., & Brannan, J. M. (2022). Qualitative study. StatPearls Publishing.

Tian, M., & Huber, S. G. (2021). Mapping educational leadership, administration and management research. Journal of Educational Administration, 59(3), 332–354. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-12-2020-0258

Wahjosumidjo. (2021). Kepemimpinan kepala sekolah: Tinjauan teoritis dan permasalahannya. Rajawali Pers.

Wong, P. M., & Daresh, J. C. (2023). Professional development for school leaders: Global trends and local practices. International Journal of Educational Management, 37(4), 512–528. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-03-2022-0112

Yasin, M., & Kurniawan, A. (2021). The impact of principal's leadership on school quality: A study in Indonesian context. Journal of Education and Practice, 12(15), 120–130.

Zeng, J., & Zhang, J. (2022). Principal leadership and teacher professional development: A mediating model. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 1007831. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1007831

Zulkhairi, Z., & Firman, F. (2021). Leadership strategies of principals in enhancing teacher professionalism during curriculum changes. Indonesian Journal of Educational Research, 6(2), 89–98.

Downloads

Published

2026-03-05