Enhancing Educational Quality through Strategic Leadership: Insights from SMAN Unggul Aceh Selatan

Nuriman Nuriman; Niswanto; Ismail

doi:10.59890/ijarss.v3i1.204

Authors

Nuriman Nuriman Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh
Niswanto Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh
Ismail Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59890/ijarss.v3i1.204

Keywords:

School Leadership, Educational Quality, Integration, Teacher Development

Abstract

This study explores the leadership strategies of the principal at SMAN Unggul Aceh Selatan, a high school in Indonesia, aimed at improving educational quality in a resource-limited setting. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were gathered through interviews, observations, and document analysis. The results show that the principal's use of transformational and instructional leadership has significantly improved teacher performance, student outcomes, and infrastructure. The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and ongoing teacher professional development are key strategies contributing to these improvements. Despite challenges with limited resources, the school has seen steady gains in national exam scores and university admissions. The study highlights the crucial role of effective leadership in enhancing educational outcomes in resource-constrained environments.

References

Abdullah, A., & Latief, M. (2019). *Strategic Management in Schools: Enhancing Educational Quality in the Era of Globalization*. Journal of Educational Leadership, 12(2), 45-56.

Aoun, J. E. (2018). *Robot-Proof: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence*. MIT Press.

Bass, B. M. (1985). *Leadership and performance beyond expectations*. Free Press.

Bass, B. M. (1985). Leadership and performance beyond expectations. Free Press.

Bush, T., & Glover, D. (2003). *School leadership: Concepts and evidence*. National College for School Leadership.

Bush, T., & Glover, D. (2003). School leadership: Concepts and evidence. National College for School Leadership.

Bush, T., Ng, A. Y. M., & Wei, K. T. (2019). Leadership preparation and development in Southeast Asia: A systematic review of research and scholarship. Journal of Educational Administration, 57(4), 375-395.

Day, C., Gu, Q., & Sammons, P. (2016). The impact of leadership on student outcomes: How successful school leaders use transformational and instructional strategies to make a difference. Educational Administration Quarterly, 52(2), 221-258.

Hallinger, P., & Murphy, J. (1985). Assessing the instructional management behavior of principals. The Elementary School Journal, 86(2), 217-247.

Hallinger, P., & Murphy, J. (1985). Assessing the instructional management behavior of principals. *The Elementary School Journal*, 86(2), 217-247.

Hallinger, P., & Walker, A. (2017). Leading learning in Asia – emerging empirical insights from five societies. Journal of Educational Administration, 55(2), 130-146.

Harris, A., & Jones, M. (2019). Teacher leadership and educational change. School Leadership & Management, 39(2), 123-126.

Leithwood, K., Harris, A., & Hopkins, D. (2020). Seven strong claims about successful school leadership revisited. School Leadership & Management, 40(1), 5-22.

Leithwood, K., Seashore Louis, K., Anderson, S., & Wahlstrom, K. (2004). How leadership influences student learning. The Wallace Foundation.

Leithwood, K., Seashore Louis, K., Anderson, S., & Wahlstrom, K. (2004). *How leadership influences student learning*. The Wallace Foundation.

Muttaqin, T. (2018). Determinants of unequal access to and quality of education in Indonesia. Jurnal Perencanaan Pembangunan: The Indonesian Journal of Development Planning, 2(1), 1-23.

OECD. (2018). The future of education and skills: Education 2030. OECD Publishing.

OECD. (2022). PISA 2022 Results. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

OECD. (2023). PISA 2022 Results (Volume I): What Students Know and Can Do. OECD Publishing.

Raihani, & Anderson, B. J. (2021). School leadership for religious diversity: Perspectives from Indonesia. Journal of Educational Administration and History, 53(3-4), 266-281.

Raihani. (2018). Education for multicultural citizens in Indonesia: Policies and practices. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 48(6), 992-1009.

Rosser, A. (2018). Beyond access: Making Indonesia's education system work. Lowy Institute.

Sallis, E. (2021). Total quality management in education (3rd ed.). Routledge.

Sulisworo, D., Nasir, R., & Maryani, I. (2020). Identification of teachers' problems in Indonesia on facing global community. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 9(2), 271-277.

UNESCO. (2015). Education 2030: Incheon Declaration and Framework for Action for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 4. UNESCO.

World Bank. (2020). Indonesia Economic Prospects: The Long Road to Recovery. World Bank.