The Influence of Principals' Digital Leadership on Teacher Readiness in the Digital Transformation of Education

Nursalimah Nursalimah; Riska Meisyi Putri; Dismawati Dismawati; Mardalena Mardalena; Sarinah Sarinah

doi:10.61987/edsojou.v4i1.2719

Authors

Nursalimah Nursalimah Universitas Merangin
Riska Meisyi Putri Universitas Merangin
Dismawati Dismawati Universitas Merangin
Mardalena Mardalena Universitas Merangin
Sarinah Sarinah Universitas Merangin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61987/edsojou.v4i1.2719

Keywords:

Digital Leadership, Principal, Teacher Readiness

Abstract

The digital transformation of education requires teachers' readiness to integrate technology into the learning process. This readiness is not only influenced by individual factors, but also influenced by organizational support, including the leadership role of the principal. This study aims to analyze the influence of school principals' digital leadership on teachers' readiness in the digital transformation of education. The research uses a quantitative approach with an explanatory research design. The research sample consisted of 50 elementary school teachers in Merangin Regency, Jambi Province who were selected using the purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through a Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and simple linear regression. The results showed that the digital leadership of school principals was in the high category with an average score of 30.50, while teacher readiness was also in the high category with an average score of 31.08. The results of the regression test showed that the digital leadership of school principals had a positive and significant effect on teacher readiness (β = 0.875; t = 12.516; p < 0.05). The value of the determination coefficient (R² = 0.765) showed that digital leadership contributed 76.5% to teacher readiness. These findings affirm the importance of strengthening the digital leadership of school principals in supporting the success of digital transformation of education.

References

Alcantara, F. P. (2023). Digital Era Readiness and Leadership and Management Competencies of School Heads in the Schools Division of Marinduque. International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology. https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2023.52256

Althubyani, A. (2024). Digital Competence of Teachers and the Factors Affecting Their Competence Level: A Nationwide Mixed-Methods Study. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072796

Anwar, C., & Warman. (2025). The Role of Digital Competence in Mediating the Influence of Transformational Leadership on Teacher Performance in the Digital Era. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat dan Riset Pendidikan. https://doi.org/10.31004/jerkin.v4i1.1827

B., A., T., A., A., A., & K., A. (2025). Digital Transformation in Teaching: The Preparedness of In-Service Teachers in Nigeria for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). British Journal of Contemporary Education. https://doi.org/10.52589/BJCE-S8GBY9M3

Carvalhais, L., & Azevedo, P. (2024). Digital Teacher Training in the Portuguese National Plan for Digital Development at Schools: A Case Study. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 29, 1579–1595. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-024-09760-3

Fitria, Y., Astuti, Y., & Yogyakarta, U. N. (2025). The Influence of Principals’ Transformational Leadership, Availability of Educational Facilities and Infrastructure, and Digital Literacy on the Quality of Primary Schools in Sungai Apit District. International Journal of Educational Technology Research. https://doi.org/10.59890/ijetr.v3i3.150

Hamzah, N. H., Radzi, N. M., & Omar, I. M. (2025). Development of a Digital Leadership Competency Model for School Principals in Malaysia: A Needs Analysis. International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counseling. https://doi.org/10.35631/ijepc.1057014

Haryanti, M. L., & Purbojo, R. (2024). The Role of Transformational Leadership and Digital Literacy on Teachers' Pedagogical Competence in Technology Integration. Edumatic: Jurnal Pendidikan Informatika. https://doi.org/10.29408/edumatic.v8i1.25444

Huiling, & Ismail, L. (2025). Bibliometric Analysis and Systematic Review of Digital Competence in Education. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04401-1

Kamran, M. (2025). Educational Leadership in a Digital Era: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities. AL-ĪMĀN Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.63283/54wxa275

Luo, H., Sun, D., Zhang, L., Wiyono, B., Imron, A., Rahma, L., Arifah, N., Azhari, R., Elfira, Sibula, I., & Maharmawan, M. A. (2024). Elevating Teachers’ Professional Digital Competence: Synergies of Principals’ Instructional E-Supervision, Technology Leadership, and Digital Culture for Educational Excellence in the Digital-Savvy Era. Education Sciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14030266

Masaeed, M. J. N., Shehada, S. A. J., & Mersal, M. A. S. (2025). The Effect of Digital Transformation on Teacher Performance Evaluation in Palestinian Schools. Frontiers in Education. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1440731

Nguyen, C. T. H., Thu, H. L. T., Minh, T. D. T., Thuy, D. L., Thu, H. N. T., Thi, B. Le, & Huy, V. N. (2023). Digital Competencies of Primary School Teachers in the Northern Mountainous Areas of Vietnam. International Journal of Education and Social Science Research. https://doi.org/10.37500/ijessr.2023.6620

Niță, V., & Guțu, I. (2023). The Role of Leadership and Digital Transformation in Higher Education Students’ Work Engagement. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065124

Ntavlourou, A., Antonopoulou, H., & Halkiopoulos, C. (2026). Exploring Educational Leadership Orientations Through Survey-Based Pattern Analysis: Digital Transformation and Leadership Self-Concept in Primary Education Teachers. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su18031555

Pietsch, M., & Mah, D.-K. (2024). Leading the AI Transformation in Schools: It Starts With a Digital Mindset. Educational Technology Research and Development, 73, 1043–1069. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-024-10439-w

Prayoonvong, N., & Limwongthong, A. (2025). Digital Leadership Competencies for School Administrators in Bangkok’s Educational Transformation. International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies. https://doi.org/10.53894/ijirss.v8i6.10071

Rahmawati, A., Purnamaningsih, I. R., & Sholeh, S. (2025). The Influence of Principals’ Leadership Styles and School Climate on Teacher Innovation in Digital-Based Learning in Elementary Schools. Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education. https://doi.org/10.56916/jirpe.v4i3.1604

Saeed, S., & Kang, M. (2024). The Impact of Digital Leadership on the Performance of Secondary Teachers. Academy of Education and Social Sciences Review. https://doi.org/10.48112/aessr.v4i1.696

Sari, N., Muspawi, M., & Pratama, L. (2025). Transformational Leadership of School Principals in the Implementation of the Independent Curriculum. Thawalib: Jurnal Kependidikan Islam. https://doi.org/10.54150/thawalib.v6i1.585

Suparno, S., & Pujianto, E. (2025). Reformulation of School Management Strategies in Improving Teachers’ Digital Competence: A Case Study. Juwara: Jurnal Wawasan dan Aksara. https://doi.org/10.58740/juwara.v5i1.504

Suryaman, M., & Setiyani, L. (2025). Assessing the Readiness of School Principals for Digital Leadership: An Exploratory Data Analysis Approach. Tadbir: Jurnal Studi Manajemen Pendidikan. https://doi.org/10.29240/jsmp.v9i1.12762

Tømte, C. (2024). Conceptualisation of Professional Digital Competence for School Leaders in Schools With 1:1 Coverage of Digital Devices. Computers & Education, 222, 105151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2024.105151

Umah, E. C., Imron, A., Hadi, S., & Praherdhiono, H. (2023). Madrasah Principal Digital Leadership Innovation in Digital Learning Transformation. Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental. https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v17n3-025