Principal Management in Improving Teacher Performance at Cimaja and Banyuwangi Elementary Schools

Seny Novriyanti (Universitas Islam Nusantara, Bandung)
Endang Komara (Universitas Islam Nusantara Bandung)

International Journal of Nusantara Islam
Vol 13 No 2 (2025): International Journal of Nusantara Islam

Basic education plays a crucial role in improving the quality of human resources, necessitating professional and competent educators to carry out the learning process. However, in practice, teachers are still found to lack the minimum academic qualification of a bachelor's degree, and there is a mismatch between their academic background and the subjects they teach. This situation demands the role of the principal as an educational manager to implement effective management to improve teacher performance. This study aims to describe and analyze the principal's management in improving teacher performance at Cimaja Elementary School and Banyuwangi Elementary School in Pasirkuda District. The focus of the study includes aspects of planning, organizing, implementing, evaluating, obstacles encountered, and solutions implemented by the principal. This study uses a qualitative approach with descriptive methods. Data collection techniques were carried out through interviews, observations, and documentation studies. The data obtained were then analyzed using an interactive analysis model that includes data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results show that the principal has implemented management functions systematically through planning teacher competency improvement programs, organizing school resources, implementing academic supervision, and continuously evaluating teacher performance. However, several obstacles remain in its implementation, including limited academic qualifications for some teachers, limited learning facilities and infrastructure, and low motivation for some teachers to develop their professional competencies. To address these challenges, principals are undertaking various efforts, such as strengthening collaboration with external parties, optimizing teacher learning communities, and encouraging teachers to pursue higher education. Therefore, planned, systematic, and sustainable principal management plays a crucial role in improving teacher performance, which ultimately impacts the quality of learning in elementary schools.