<![CDATA[ABSTRAKPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengeksplorasi peran kepemimpinan kepala sekolah dalam implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka di SDN 2 Ambalau dan SDN 3 Kemangai Kecamatan Ambalau, Kabupaten Sintang. Fokus riset pada profil kepemimpinan dan strategi kepemimpinan kepala sekolah dalam implementasi Kurikulum. Pendekatan kualitatif dengan desain multi case study dipilih untuk memperoleh gambaran mendalam mengenai dinamika kepemimpinan kepala sekolah dalam konteks keterbatasan sumber daya sekolah pedalaman. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara mendalam, observasi, dan studi dokumentasi yang melibatkan kepala sekolah, guru, pengawas, siswa, orang tua, dan Kepala Dinas Pendidikan Kabupaten Sintang. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kepala sekolah memiliki kepribadian yang kuat dan mampu mengelola sekolah meski sering menghadapi keterbatasan waktu dan sumber daya. Namun, dalam dimensi manajerial, kepala sekolah kurang melibatkan guru dalam pengelolaan sekolah secara optimal. Di sisi lain, dalam dimensi profesionalisme, supervisi terhadap guru masih belum maksimal. Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka di kedua sekolah tersebut menunjukkan pentingnya peran kepala sekolah dalam merancang Kurikulum Operasional Sekolah (KOS) dan perencanaan berbasis data untuk meningkatkan kualitas pendidikan. Penelitian ini memberikan wawasan tentang tantangan dan strategi kepala sekolah dalam mengelola pendidikan di daerah pedalaman, serta implikasinya terhadap penguatan implementasi kebijakan pendidikan di tingkat lokal.Kata Kunci: profil, strategi, kepemimpinan, kurikulum mandiriABSTRACTThis study aims to explore the role of principal leadership in the implementation of the Independent Curriculum at SDN 2 Ambalau and SDN 3 Kemangai, Ambalau District, Sintang Regency. The focus of the research is on the leadership profile and leadership strategies of principals in implementing the Curriculum. A qualitative approach with a multi-case study design was chosen to obtain an in-depth picture of the dynamics of principal leadership in the context of limited resources in remote schools. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation studies involving principals, teachers, supervisors, students, parents, and the Head of the Sintang Regency Education Office. The results of the study indicate that principals have strong personalities and are able to manage schools even though they often face limited time and resources. However, in the managerial dimension, principals do not involve teachers optimally in managing schools. On the other hand, in the professionalism dimension, supervision of teachers is still not optimal. The implementation of the Independent Curriculum in both schools shows the importance of the role of principals in designing the School Operational Curriculum (KOS) and data-based planning to improve the quality of education. This study provides insight into the challenges and strategies of school principals in managing education in remote areas, as well as their implications for strengthening the implementation of education policies at the local level.Keywords: profile, strategy, leadership, independent curriculum]]>
