Jurnal Al-Fikrah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan
Vol X (1), 2022, (July-December)
http://ecampus.iainbatusangkar.ac.id/ojs/index.php/alfikrah 2339-0131 (Print ISSN)
2549-9106 (Online ISSN)
Leadership Style and Role of a Female Principal in Improving the Quality of Education at Bondalem Elementary School
Vika Mutiara Ghozelin*1, Fakhrur Saifudin2
Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Indonesia1,2
Korespondensi: Jl. Ki Ageng Pemanahan Gg. Cucut No. 19, Sorosutan, Kec. Umbulharjo, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. 55162
E-mail: [email protected]1*, [email protected]2
*)Corresponding Author
Abstract: One of the factors of success in education is closely related to the style and role of the principal in leading the school. Currently, there are many assumptions about how leadership is equivalent to masculinity and considers that women are less competent in leading. This research aimed to find out how the leadership style and role of female principals in improving the quality of education. This research was qualitative research in which the data were collected at Bondalem Elementary School of Bantul using interview and documentation methods. Based on this research, the leadership style used by the principal of Bondalem Elementary School of Bantul is authoritarian, democratic, and charismatic. The implementation of her leadership role can encourage all aspects of the school and contribute to developing and improving the quality of education.
Keywords:Leadership Style, Leadership Role, Female Principal, Quality Of Education INTRODUCTION
he principal as a leader is often associated with educational success in the school (Hartini et al., 2022). The principal must be able to control and manage the resources in the school including the principal himself, teachers, and students who will contribute and are interrelated in developing students' talents, and characters related to student personality and producing quality output. According to Mcshane (in Jiang, 2020), states that "Leadership is about influencing, motivating and enabling others to contribute toward the effectiveness and success of the organizations of which they are
members” (leadership is about influencing, motivating and enabling others to support the success and effectiveness of the organization of which they are members) (Mudinillah, 2019).
According to Djatmiko (in Ardito, 2019) leadership is a leader's way or effort in influencing, encouraging, motivating, directing, building a reality, and mobilizing staff, and other related parties, to work or participate in achieving the goals that have been set (Gultom et al., 2022). These various opinions can be concluded that a leader is a person who is able to move and is able to influence others / a group to realize an agreed goal (Tri Wulandari
& Adam Mudinillah, 2022).
T
Received:25-02-2022; Revised:19-06- 2022; Accepted:15-12-2022
In the world of leadership, the view of the wider community still considers women's leadership to be taboo (Demina et al., 2022).
The majority of society thinks that the figure of an ideal leader is a man (Hikmah et al., 2022). The opinion that women leaders are considered incompetent is reinforced by a poll conducted by UNDP in the journal Management Of Education on behavior and perceptions of women's participation socially, economically, and politically. In the survey, 77.6% of male and female respondents viewed that men should be decision-makers and lead the community. The findings of the survey show that some people at large still doubt the role of women in leading it (Halilah in Widodo, 2019: 128).
Feminism that is inherent in women makes society think that women tend to be cautious and weak in making decisions (Dewi S et al., 2022). It was this that led to the emergence of the women's emancipation movement. The existence of the emancipation of women, of course, cannot be separated from the struggle and services of R.A Kartini who always calls for the equality of women and men. In her time she clearly sought to equalize women's rights which were often overlooked. With this call, it is also slowly able to open people's minds that women have the opportunity to become great leaders (Afif et al., 2022). As evidenced by the large number of female fighters who participated in liberating Indonesia from the colonial period (Priatiningsih, 2018: 2). This momentum must be utilized as well as possible as a turning point for women in developing the country (Shidqi & Mudinillah, 2021). Women are now starting to get involved in many agencies and companies, especially in educational institutions. There are so many women who are now educators and even become principals (Lumbantoruan et al., 2022).
The experience and level of education possessed by male and female principals largely determine how the school will be developed (Amrina et al., 2022). In carrying out his leadership, the principal has his own style in determining the direction of how teachers, qualities, and students will be formed.
These leadership styles include; directive
leadership, supportive leadership, participatory/democratic leadership, and achievement-orientation leadership (Gabriela et al., 2022).
There are seven main roles of principals according to the policy perspective of the Ministry of National Education (2006) (in Pianda, 2018: 80) including roles as educators, managers, administrators, supervisors, leaders, innovators, and motivators (Qureshi et al., 2022). This role will later be used by the principal in managing the school and bringing it in a better direction, if in the implementation of the principal's role there is one aspect that does not work well, it will affect the quality of education in the school (Kartel et al., 2022).
Nowadays, most people still think that women are not more worthy to lead than men (Keshav et al., 2022). The purpose of this study is to analyze the leadership style and leadership role of female principals in improving the quality of education at Bondalem Elementary School as a whole. this research is expected to provide an overview of the leadership of female principals and remove the social stigma about the leadership of female principals.
METHOD
This type of research is qualitative research.
According to Ardito (2019)that qualitative research is research that intends to understand the phenomenon of what is experienced by the subject of research for example behavior, perception, motivation, and action, holistically, and by means of describing the form of words and language, in a special context that is natural and by utilizing various natural methods. The method used in this study was an interview, sumber the data used was the result of interviews and documentation taken at SD Bondalem Bantul. The subjects of this study were the principal and teachers of SD Bondalem Bantul. The instrument used in this study was the researcher himself. By covering the focus of questions about the principal's leadership style, the principal's leadership role, and the quality of education.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
In creating the next generation of the nation, elementary schools are the main foundation as a determinant of the birth of that generation. School is one of the most important factors to create ethics and a generation that has the ability to compete. To achieve this goal, teachers who have high competence and persistence are needed to create good outputs. According to Suparman (2019: 14), a principal is a functional position teacher who is appointed to occupy a structural position (principal) in the school.
The principal is a functional staff of the teacher who is given the task of leading a school where the teaching and learning process is held, or a place where there is an interaction between the teacher who gives the lesson and the student who receives the lesson (Suparman, 2019: 16).
In this study, the figure of the principal in question was the head of a female school. The stigma of wider community still thinks that women are still not worthy to hold the title of leader. Women as leaders in education also experience various problems and debates.
Female principals are considered weak in making decisions. The nature of women who are motherly and nurturing is suspected to be the main factor in women's weakness in making decisions. This is what is then often linked to the advancement of the quality of education that schools have when led by female principals. However, as times progressed, women increasingly showed existence with their participation in important sectors.
The application of the leadership style of female principals in improving the quality of education is very important to determine the direction of goals and the achievement of quality education standards. According to Hidayatullah (2019: 27), the authoritarian leadership style is a leadership style in which all decisions are usually only fixated on decisions taken by the leader and in their implementation assigned to his subordinates.
The decision taken is absolute and must be even without the consent and consultation of its members. Authoritarian leadership styles are used at Bondalem Elementary School to improve the discipline of school residents.
Authoritarian leadership is also used for something urgent that requires the principal to install a body due to conditions that do not allow for deliberation. The findings of this study are useful to strengthen the previous theory, as explained by Brown (2019), that leaders must be able to install bodies and dare to make decisions when conditions are urgent, this is where the importance of a leader's intelligence and intuition to solve problems is.
Then, also reinforced the theory from Hidayatullah (2019: 27), who suggested that authoritarian leadership styles are centered on leaders. That is, all decisions are usually only fixated on the decisions made by the leader and the decisions taken are absolute.
The democratic leadership style is also applied at Bondalem Elementary School, it is aimed at making it easier for principals and teachers to create new views related to improving the quality of education. Fostering a sense of trust between the principal and the teacher to solve various responsibilities, problems, and challenges that exist in the school. Then in terms of feminism, harmonious relationships will be established throughout the school scope so that educators become comfortable and feel cared for. In line with the opinion of Hidayatullah (2019: 27), democratic leadership is a policy carried out by a leader based on the results of joint deliberations without any incitement from others. The leader always involves all members in deciding something, and there is no awkwardness that occurs between the member and the leader if they have ideas or input. Also in line with Santoso's opinion (in Rokhani, 2020: 4) democratic leadership has a positive impact on organizational performance.
Charismatic leadership style was also applied at Bondalem Elementary School before his tenure, the principal at Bondalem Elementary School served as a sports teacher at another school, but with his skills, abilities, and responsibilities he was recommended to become a principal at Bondalem Elementary School. In addition, he is considered capable and has the power to influence others. With the skills and trust possessed by the principal, it is able to bring SD Bondalem into a more quality and outstanding school. In line with the
opinion of Suwanto (in Pianda, 2018: 82), one of the factors that influence leadership is the talent factor, which has the view that a person will only succeed in becoming a leader if the person since childhood has brought leadership talents and a tendency to guide people around him (Gultom et al., 2022).
So far, the view of society still considers women are creatures who cannot stand alone, are too careful, and easily get carried away with feelings. But in fact, from the results of the research above, women are able to show their ability to carry out leadership. The leadership of female principals is also often synonymous with democratic leadership styles. But in reality, the leadership of principals, both men, and women have the same potential in using leadership styles, because basically, the difference between men and women lies only in gender (Dewi S et al., 2022).
Being a principal is not easy, besides being required to apply a leadership style that is in accordance with school conditions. The school must also carry out its duties, roles, and functions, therefore the principal is the main source of foundation for how in the future the school will be formed. Mulyasa stated that in realizing her vision and mission, there are 7 roles that must be carried out by the principal:
a) the principal as an educator, 2) the principal as a manager, 3) the principal as an administrator, 4) the principal as a supervisor, 5) the principal as a leader, 6) the principal as an innovator, 7) the principal as a motivator (Lumbantoruan et al., 2022).
The principal's role as an educator, the principal always to try to be a figure for educators (Nopiana et al., 2022). In carrying out his role, the principal also facilitates all the needs needed by teachers and students. In addition to being aimed at setting concrete examples, the role of the principal as an educator is aimed at creating a good and comfortable climate in the Bondalem Elementary School environment. The findings of this study are useful to strengthen the previous theory of the national education policy perspective of the Ministry of National Education (2006) (in Pianda, 2018: 80) which explains that the principal as a professional must be able to shape the character of every
school citizen. Directing to things that can advance the quality of education in the schools he leads. The principal should be a concrete figure or example for the entire system in the school. This also strengthens previous research, Juliantoro (in Ulya, 2019) stated that the role of the principal as an educator must strive to improve the quality of learning carried out by teachers. Provide examples of guidance and a good career.
The principal's role as a manager is to strive to maximize all the potential that exists in the school. Among the steps taken by the principal, one of them is to distribute tasks or plotting to teachers who are competent in their fields. In addition, the principal as a manager also carries out the duties of a planner. The task of the planner in question is to be meticulous in planning learning strategies as well as short- term to long-term programs. This is in line with the previous research of the Ministry of National Education (2006) (in Antoniou (2017) which stated that in carrying out his role the principal is required to have a strategy that has been adapted to environmental conditions.
Principals must be observant and carefully read the situation in order to determine the right policy (Afif et al., 2022).
The principal as an administrator always strives to do bookkeeping in all activities at Bondalem Elementary School, with the bookkeeping later will make it easier for the principal and teachers to evaluate all activities that have not been maximized or encounter obstacles at Bondalem Elementary School.
Storage of important archives is carried out to anticipate if there is an impromptu hearing by the supervisor to minimize the occurrence of errors. The results of this study are in line with the opinion of Yahdiyani (2020); Ekosiswoyo (2007); Kalkan et al., (2020) who stated that the role of the principal as administrator, the principal is responsible for the smooth running of all work and administrative activities in his school (Qureshi et al., 2022).
The principal as a supervisor supervises every activity at Bondalem Elementary School.
The principal conducts visits in each class, in turn, to see how the learning process occurs, observing what needs students and teachers need during teaching and learning activities
(Nopiana et al., 2022). The results of the study are in accordance with the opinion of Lazaruth (as a supervisor means that the principal must be able to improve the quality of education by increasing the competence of teachers. In addition, honing the skills of teachers to continue to improve by holding observations with class teachers, holding regular meetings, or conducting comparative studies with other schools.
The principal as a leader carries out his duties to lead all productive activities to advance the quality of education. In carrying out this task, the principal strives to be a figure who sets a good example to all school residents, especially educators. In line with Suwanto's opinion (2019: 4) leadership includes the use of influence, all relationships involving the leader, and the importance of the communication process. The clarity and accuracy of communication affect the behavior and performance of its followers and leadership focus on the goals to be achieved.
An effective leader must relate to the goals of individuals, groups, and organizations.
The principle of an innovator is to have a forward and rational vision that is long-term.
The vision must also be aligned with the designed mission. The principal performs the role of innovator at Bondealem Elementary School through programs that can spark the creativity of educators. Thus, educators, in this case, teachers, have the flexibility to determine the learning model that is considered effective and efficient. The principal also provides opportunities for teachers to participate in various activities that can add insight to teachers. The findings of this study are in line with the perspective of national policy (MoNE, 2006) (in Pianda, 2018: 80) suggesting that the role of the principal as an innovator must be able to create new breakthroughs in order to advance the quality of education. Innovation in the fields of learning, facilities, and relationships is certainly needed in order to build a comfortable school atmosphere for all its citizens. In line with Prasetijo's theory (2019), the principal as an innovator must be able to make new innovations both in the learning process and in terms of supporting
the improvement of the quality of education (Hartini et al., 2022).
The principal as a motivator, is tasked with motivating and increasing the trust of educators and all school residents. Among them is the emberian reward for teachers and students who excel. The principal at SD Bondalem routinely performs rewards for teachers who are active and loyal in teaching.
The reward for the teacher is realized in the form of household furniture and teacher needs.
As for outstanding students, the principal gives rewards in the form of various books and stationery, and even coaching money. The findings of this study are in line with the perspective of national education policy, (see Pianda, 2018: 80) suggesting that a good education climate and work climate can affect the level of achievement achieved by schools.
Therefore, the principal must be wise in behaving and not only evaluating, but also motivating all educators and students (Tri Wulandari & Adam Mudinillah, 2022).
The seven roles above are in line with the opinion of Bakar (Mufid et al., 2022), that the school is the leader of education at the unit level of education, which must be responsible for all school activities. The principal is a very important person in the school system. They strive for, and maintain rules and discipline, provide necessary goods, implement and improve school programs, and select and develop employees or personnel.
The implementation of the principal's style and leadership role, it will also make the quality of the school more advanced and developed. According to Kurniawati, (2020) stated that improving the quality of education would not occur without professional leadership and good management in addition to other roles performed by a principal leader as a whole. This makes the school have good inputs, processes and outputs and the outputs it produces are able to advance education to the best school at the next level (Alimuddin, 2015; Prasetijo, 2019; Ulya, 2019).
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The leadership style adopted by the principal at Bondalem Elementary School aims
to determine the direction in which the school will develop. Through this leadership style, it is hoped that a culture of discipline, care, and mutual embrace of each other is created. The leadership style applied also affects the progress of the quality of education at Bondalem Elementary School. The leadership styles in question include authoritarian, democratic, and charismatic leadership styles.
The use of various styles is also adapted to the conditions in the school environment.
In general, male and female leadership styles also use these three styles. Because basically men and women have authoritarian, charismatic, and democratic attitudes. There are a variety of factors that can distinguish the results and prosses of male and female leadership. These differences will affect the character of leadership both from nature and bearing which will have an impact on the quality of education.
The factors that distinguish the leadership of female and male principals are not only within the individual principals themselves, but can also come from external factors such as community stigma. Women's leadership is still considered taboo and inappropriate. In fact, this view is incorrect and very shallow, especially in the modern era like today.
Women are now no longer objects but have moved to become the subject of change. The stigma must be changed through various proofs from the women themselves. One of them is the leadership of the female principal at Bondalem Elementary School which is a concrete example of the application of women's leadership as a subject of change
The principal's leadership role as explained in the discussion is seven, including educators, managers, administrators, supervisors, leaders, innovators,andmotivators. The seven roles are an inseparable unit in the implementation of leadership. The success of the application of the 'emaslim' principle can directly affect the quality of education in schools. But also on the contrary, if the principle of 'goldlim' cannot be implemented optimally, it will certainly have an impact on the quality of education that does not develop and even tends to decline.
REFERENCES
Afif, A. A., Fitri Hidayati, Ivan Riyadi, & Mail Hilian Batin. (2022). Implementation of Active Learning-Based Arabic Learning at Muhammadiyah 5 Palembang Senior High School. Al-Hijr: Journal of Adulearn
World, 1(3), 118–124.
https://doi.org/10.55849/alhijr.v1i3.9 Alimuddin, J. (2015). Gaya Kepemimpinan
Kepala Sekolah Perempuan di Sekolah Dasar.Yin Yang,10(1).
Amrina, A., Iswantir M, I. M., Mudinillah, A.,
& Mohd Noor, A. F. Bin. (2022). The Contribution of Arabic Learning To Improve Religious Materials for Students.
Ijaz Arabi Journal of Arabic Learning, 5(1), 192–200.
https://doi.org/10.18860/ijazarabi.v5i1.1 Antoniou, A. (2017).5066 Guidance and Counselling in
Cyprus. 1(August), 323–335.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6300- 992-8_20
Ardito, L. (2019). Towards Industry 4.0:
Mapping digital technologies for supply chain management-marketing integration.
Business Process Management Journal, 25(2), 323–346.
https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-04-2017- Brown, D. (2019). Marketing management0088
capability: the construct and its dimensions: An examination of managers’ and entrepreneurs’ perceptions in a retail setting. Qualitative Market
Research, 22(5), 609–637.
https://doi.org/10.1108/QMR-10-2017- Demina, D., Rexy, T., & Danyl, A. (2022). The0131
Use of Quranic Learning Strategies Through the Wafa Method in Elementary Schools. Journal International Inspire Education Technology, 1(2), 62–73.
https://doi.org/10.55849/jiiet.v1i2.91 Dewi S, Y., Rasyid Umar, A., Ali Khan, A., &
Aziz, A. (2022). Fun Arabic Teaching With Media Song For Early Child Education School. Journal International of Lingua and Technology, 1(2), 140–156.
https://doi.org/10.55849/jiltech.v1i2.80 Ekosiswoyo, R. (2007). Kepemimpinan Kepala
Sekolah yang Efektif Kunci Pencapaian
Kualitas Pendidikan. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan.
Gabriela, M., Cicerchi, G., Colin, H., & Ana, C.
(2022). The Role of Parents in Helping Arabic Teachers to Improve Students’
Vocabulary. Journal International of Lingua and Technology, 1(2), 131–139.
https://doi.org/10.55849/jiltech.v1i2.83 Gultom, E., Frans, A., & Cellay, E. (2022).
Adapting the Graphic Novel to Improve Speaking Fluency for EFL Learners. Al- Hijr: Journal of Adulearn World,1(2), 46–54.
https://doi.org/10.55849/alhijr.v1i2.13 Hartini, S., Alie, E., & March, J. (2022). The
Relationship Between Authoritarian Parenting and Aggressive Behavior of Adolescents in Nagari Bungo Tanjung.
World Psychology, 1(2), 18–26.
https://doi.org/10.55849/wp.v1i2.98 Hidayatullah, M. N. (2019). Menjadi Kepala
Sekolah Ideal, Efektif dan Efisien. Literasi Nusantara.
Hikmah, D., Petoukhoff, G., & Papaioannou, J. (2022). The Utilization Of The Animiz Application As A Media For Arabic Language Learning On Students. Journal International of Lingua and Technology, 1(2), 157–171.
https://doi.org/10.55849/jiltech.v1i2.84 Jiang, Y. (2020). Effects of COVID-19 on
hotel marketing and management: a perspective article. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 32(8), 2563–2573.
https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-03- 2020-0237
Kalkan, Ü., Altınay Aksal, F., Altınay Gazi, Z., Atasoy, R., & Dağlı, G. (2020). The Relationship Between School Administrators’ Leadership Styles, School Culture, and Organizational Image.
SAGE Open.
https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020902 Kartel, A., Charles, M., Xiao, H., & Sundi, D.081
(2022). Strategies for Parent Involvement During Distance Learning in Arabic Lessons in Elementary Schools. Journal International of Lingua and Technology, 1(2), 99–113.
https://doi.org/10.55849/jiltech.v1i2.82
Keshav, M., Julien, L., & Miezel, J. (2022). The Role Of Technology In Era 5.0 In The Development Of Arabic Language In The World Of Education. Journal International of Lingua and Technology, 1(2), 79–98.
https://doi.org/10.55849/jiltech.v1i2.85 Kurniawati, E., Arafat, Y., & Puspita, Y.
(2020). Peran Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah dalam Meningkatkan Mutu Pendidikan Melalui Manajemen Berbasis Sekolah. Journal of Education Research, 1(2), 134–137.
Lumbantoruan, J. H., Dane, G., & Mahyar, B.
(2022). Comparison of Mathematics Learning Outcomes with Student Team Achievement Divisions and Team Assisted Individualization Model. Al-Hijr:
Journal of Adulearn World, 1(3), 132–140.
https://doi.org/10.55849/alhijr.v1i3.30 Mudinillah, A. (2019). The Development of
Interactive Multimedia Using Lectora Inspire Application in Arabic Language Learning. Jurnal Iqra’ : Kajian Ilmu
Pendidikan, 4(2), 285–300.
https://doi.org/10.25217/ji.v4i2.570 Mufid, A., Fatimah, S., Abdullahi Umar, J., &
Mawere, D. (2022). Efforts to Improve the Development of Naturalistic Intelligence through Outbound Methods at RA Muslimat NU XVII Keser Tunjungan District, Blora Regency. Al- Hijr: Journal of Adulearn World, 1(3), 125–
131.https://doi.org/10.55849/alhijr.v1i3.26 Nopiana, N., Egie, J., & Mers, O. (2022). The
Impact of Internet Addiction on Introvert Personality. World Psychology,
1(2), 1–17.
https://doi.org/10.55849/wp.v1i2.97 Pianda, D. (2018).Kinerja Guru. Jejak.
Prasetijo, P. (2019). Peran Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah dalam Meningkatkan Mutu Sekolah. Jurnal Kebijakan Dan Pengembangan Pendidikan (JKPP),1(1).
Priatiningsih, S. (2018). Kepemimpinan Wanita Sebagai Kepala Sekolah Studi di SD Negeri Kecamatan Balung Kabupaten Jember. Journal of Administration and Educational Management (ALIGNMENT), 1(1).
Qureshi, M., Mahdiyyah, D., Mohamed, Y., &
Ardchir, M. (2022). Scale For Measuring Arabic Speaking Skills In Early Children’s Education. Journal International of Lingua and Technology, 1(2), 114–130.
https://doi.org/10.55849/jiltech.v1i2.81 Rokhani, C. T. S. (2020). Pengaruh Gaya
Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah Terhadap Kinerja Sekolah di SDN Dengkek 01 Pati.
JIEMAR: Journal of Industrial Engineering &
Management Research,1(2).
Shidqi, M. H., & Mudinillah, A. (2021).
Pembelajaran Bahasa Arab dengan Memanfaatkan Lingkungan Berbahasa Bagi Mahasiswa Di Perguruan Tinggi.
Education and Development,9(3), 32–33.
Suparman. (2019). Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah dan Guru. Uwais Inspirasi Indonesia.
Suwanto. (2019). Pemimpin dan Kepemimpinan.
Bumi Aksara.
Tri Wulandari, & Adam Mudinillah. (2022).
Efektivitas Penggunaan Aplikasi CANVA sebagai Media Pembelajaran IPA MI/SD.
Jurnal Riset Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (JURMIA),
2(1), 102–118.
https://doi.org/10.32665/jurmia.v2i1.24 Ulya, W. (2019). Peran Kepala Sekolah Dalam5
Meningkatkan Mutu Pendidikan. JBMP:
Jurnal Bahana Manajemen Pendidikan,8(2).
Widodo, H. (2019). Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah Perempuan di Sekolah Dasar Muhammadiyah Kabupaten Sleman.
Pedagogia: Jurnal Pendidikan,8(1), 1–148.
Yahdiyani, N. R., Muna, A. R., Nurjanah, S., &
Wahyuni, S. (2020). Peran Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah di SDN Martapuro 2 Kabupaten Pasuruan. Journal of Education, Psychology and Counselling, 2(1), 327–336.
