STRATEGI KEPEMIMPINAN KEPALA SEKOLAH DALAM MENINGKATKAN MUTU PENDIDIKAN - Lindiya Eka Pertiwi; Tri Widayatsih; Mahasir Mahasir (Pusat Pengembangan Pendidikan dan Penelitian Indonesia, 2026)
This study aims to analyze the principal’s leadership strategies in improving the quality of education at SMA PGRI 2 Palembang, focusing on planning, implementation, challenges, and evaluation aspects. This research employed a qualitative approach with a descriptive design. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation involving key informants, including the principal, vice principal, and teachers. The findings reveal that leadership strategies were implemented through short-term and long-term program planning, enhancing teacher competence through training and academic supervision, and applying participatory and transparent school management. The implementation of these strategies contributed to improvements in teacher performance, instructional effectiveness, and school governance quality. However, several challenges were identified, including limited infrastructure, budget constraints, and uneven teacher adaptation to educational technology. Overall, the findings indicate that most leadership strategies were effectively implemented in supporting educational quality improvement. This study concludes that innovative, participatory, and collaborative leadership plays a significant role in enhancing educational quality. The implication of this study highlights the importance of strengthening leadership capacity and providing sustainable institutional support to ensure continuous improvement in education quality. ABSTRAK Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis strategi kepemimpinan kepala sekolah dalam meningkatkan mutu pendidikan di SMA PGRI 2 Palembang, meliputi aspek perencanaan, pelaksanaan, kendala, dan evaluasi. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan jenis deskriptif. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara, observasi, dan studi dokumentasi dengan informan utama kepala sekolah, wakil kepala sekolah, dan guru. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa strategi kepemimpinan dilaksanakan melalui penyusunan program kerja jangka pendek dan jangka panjang, peningkatan kompetensi guru melalui pelatihan dan supervisi, serta penerapan manajemen sekolah yang partisipatif dan transparan. Implementasi strategi tersebut berdampak pada peningkatan kinerja guru, efektivitas pembelajaran, serta kualitas tata kelola sekolah. Meskipun demikian, masih terdapat kendala berupa keterbatasan sarana prasarana, keterbatasan anggaran, dan adaptasi teknologi pembelajaran yang belum merata di kalangan guru. Secara keseluruhan, temuan menunjukkan bahwa sebagian besar strategi kepemimpinan berjalan efektif dalam mendukung peningkatan mutu pendidikan. Kesimpulan penelitian ini menegaskan bahwa kepemimpinan kepala sekolah yang inovatif, partisipatif, dan kolaboratif memiliki peran penting dalam meningkatkan kualitas pendidikan. Implikasinya, diperlukan penguatan kapasitas kepemimpinan dan dukungan sistem sekolah yang berkelanjutan.