Enhancing Educational Quality: The Role of Principal Instructional Leadership in Senior High Schools

Delissa Apriliyanti; Akil; Achmad Taufik Ismail

doi:10.61987/jemr.v5i4.2502

Authors

Delissa Apriliyanti Universitas Singaperbangsa Karawang
Akil Universitas Singaperbangsa Karawang
Achmad Taufik Ismail Universitas Singaperbangsa Karawang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61987/jemr.v5i4.2502

Keywords:

Instructional Leadership, Curriculum Transition, School Management

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the instructional leadership strategies employed by school principals in managing learning programs during the transition from the 2013 Curriculum to the Merdeka Curriculum. A qualitative case study approach was used to explore leadership practices in depth. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with the principal, the vice principal for curriculum affairs, and subject teachers. Informants were selected using snowball sampling, while data validity was ensured through source and method triangulation. The findings reveal that the principal implemented three key instructional leadership strategies based on Hallinger’s model: establishing and communicating clear school goals, managing curriculum implementation effectively, and fostering a positive school climate. These strategies helped maintain the stability of instructional quality throughout the curriculum transition process. In addition, the implementation of these strategies was associated with a significant increase in student admissions through the National Achievement-Based Selection pathway, rising from 9 to 36 students. The study implies that effective instructional leadership plays a crucial role in supporting curriculum change, reducing implementation challenges, and sustaining educational quality during periods of policy transition. School leaders are therefore encouraged to strengthen strategic planning, curriculum management, and collaborative school cultures to ensure successful curriculum implementation.

References

Arokiasamy, A., Tasaloti, M., Ngadiron, S., Hossain, S. F. A., & Tanucan, J. (2025). Leading STEM Success: The Role of School Principals in Advancing Science and Mathematics Through Instructional Leadership. International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies. https://doi.org/10.53894/ijirss.v8i3.6571

Bush, T. (2020). Theories of Educational Leadership and Management. Sage.

Chang, C.-M., Hsieh, H.-H., Chou, Y.-H., & Huang, H.-C. (2021). The Relationship Between Physical Education Teachers’ Perceptions of Principals’ Transformational Leadership and Creative Teaching Behavior at Junior and Senior High Schools: A Cross-Level Moderating Effect on Innovative School Climates. Sustainability, 13(15), 8184. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158184

Elfira, Rasdiana, Fitrawati, Jasman, M. W., Reski, K., Anwar, A., & Enaldi. (2024). How Does Principal’s Instructional Leadership Shape Teacher Performance Mediated by Teacher Self-Efficacy in Indonesian Education Context? Frontiers in Education, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1401394

Etiyaningsih, E., Harris, T., & Wahyudi, M. F. (2023). Clinical Supervision by Principals in the Post-Pandemic Period to Improve Teachers’ Professional Development. Akademika, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.30736/adk.v17i2.1834

Gechere, T., Oumer, J., & Ouke, T. (2025). Influence of Principals’ Instructional Leadership and Teachers’ Efficacy on Students’ Performance in Secondary Schools in the Wolaita Zone, South Ethiopia. Discover Sustainability, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01797-3

Hallinger, P., Gümüş, S., & Bellibaş, M. Ş. (2020). Are Principals Instructional Leaders Yet? A Science Map of the Knowledge Base on Instructional Leadership, 1940–2018. Scientometrics, 122(3), 1629–1650. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-020-03360-5

Hasudungan, A. N. (2022). The Implementation of Educational Supervision and Evaluation: A Case Study at SMAN 1 Rupat. HEURISTIK: Jurnal Pendidikan Sejarah, 2(2), 65–74. https://doi.org/10.31258/hjps.2.2.65-74

Hidayat, M. R., Giatman, M., Yuliarma, Y., & Mardizal, J. (2025). The Relationship Between Principal Leadership and the Level of Teacher Participation in the Implementation of School-Based Management. Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan, 10(4), 1988–1997.

Hussen, B. T., & Onia, S. I. (2024). Enhancing the Quality of Education Through Effective Governance in Higher Education. Indonesian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 3(2), 73–85. https://doi.org/10.33650/ijess.v3i2.8908

Juniardi, M. A., & Rizqa, M. (2024). A Meta-Analysis of the Influence of Classroom Climate on Student Learning Motivation. Dirasah: Jurnal Studi Ilmu dan Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 7(2), 466–476. https://doi.org/10.58401/dirasah.v7i2.1114

Karakose, T., Kardaş, A., Kanadlı, S., Tülübaş, T., & Yildirim, B. (2024). How Collective Efficacy Mediates the Association Between Principal Instructional Leadership and Teacher Self-Efficacy: Findings from a Meta-Analytic Structural Equation Modeling (MASEM) Study. Behavioral Sciences, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14020085

Li, J., Chan, P. W. K., & Hu, Y. (2023). The Effects of Principals’ Instructional Leadership on Primary School Students’ Academic Achievement in China: Evidence from Serial Multiple Mediating Analysis. Sustainability, 15(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032844

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 Digital-Savvy Era. Education Sciences, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14030266

Mansur, Y. M., & Sukirman, S. (2024). Pioneering Harmony: Bringing Pancasila to Life Through the “Kurikulum Merdeka.” Journal of Education and Teaching (JET), 5(1), 91–107.

Nathan, G. A., & Zainudin, Z. (2025). Teacher Leadership as a Driver of Transformational Change in Education at Vernacular (SJKT) School. Journal of Research, Innovation, and Strategies for Education (RISE), 2(5), 53–70. https://doi.org/10.70148/rise.v2i5.4

Rahmi, A., Muin, A., Zahra, A., Sartika, D., Rahmawati, Y., Wahyuni, A., Taufiq, N. I., & Muttaqin, S. (2023). The Role of Principal Leadership in the Educational Supervision Process to Improve Educational Quality in the Society 5.0 Era. Penerbit Adab.

Rejaan, S., Rokhman, F., Yanto, H., & Wasino, W. (2025). The Influence of Leadership, Teacher Commitment, and Organizational Culture Through the Independent Learning Curriculum on Improving Education Quality. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, 9(5). https://doi.org/10.55214/25768484.v9i5.7656

Rodrigues, H., & de Lima, J. Á. (2021). Instructional Leadership and Student Achievement: School Leaders’ Perspectives. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 27, 360–384. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603124.2020.1869312

Rosyada, A., Syahada, P., & Chanifudin, C. (2024). Independent Curriculum: The Impact of Increased Teacher Administrative Workload on Learning Effectiveness. Jurnal Inovasi, Evaluasi dan Pengembangan Pembelajaran (JIEPP), 4(2), 238–244. https://doi.org/10.54371/jiepp.v4i2.491

Safitri, D., Dewi, R., Jati, D. K., Rahmah, S., Dewi, R. N. K., Putri, D. A., Budianti, S. A., Pratiwi, D. A., & Aslamiah, A. (2024). Dynamics of the Implementation of the Independent Curriculum at SD Negeri Karang Mekar 9. MARAS: Jurnal Penelitian Multidisiplin, 2(3), 1202–1216. https://doi.org/10.60126/maras.v2i3.351

Siswadi, S., Afandi, R., Mukroji, M., Sulistyawan, G. D., & Sofati, S. (2026). Leadership Strategies Based on Social Capital in Building a Quality Culture in Education. Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan, 11(1), 1450–1456.

Taufiqurrahman, M., Ridani, A., & Sudadi, S. (2025). Exploring the Impact of Madrasah Head's Leadership Style on Teacher Performance. Indonesian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 4(2), 180–193. https://doi.org/10.33650/ijess.v4i2.12977

U-Sayee, C. R., & Adomako, E. (2021). Supervisory Practices and Challenges Faced by Senior High School Principals in Greater Monrovia, Liberia: Implications for Quality Education. Heliyon, 7(4), e06895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06895

Wang, C., Huang, X., & Xu, P. (2025). From Instructional Leadership to Instructional Quality: The Critical Role of Teacher Academic Optimism. Educational Studies, 52, 148–169. https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2025.2455608

Zainuddin, Z., Nafisah, A., & Muttaqin, M. (2025). Transforming Character Education Through the Implementation of the Independent Curriculum in Indonesia. International Journal of Education and Humanities, 5(3), 560–572. https://doi.org/10.58557/ijeh.v5i3.346

Zulaiha, S., Meisin, M., & Meldina, T. (2022). Problems Faced by Teachers in Implementing the Independent Learning Curriculum. Terampil: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran Dasar, 9(2), 163–177. https://doi.org/10.24042/terampil.v9i2.13974