EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INDEPENDENT CURRICULUM: A QUALITATIVE STUDY AT SDN 01 KARANGPUCUNG
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61100/tender.v3i2.348Keywords:
Educational Leadership, Independent Curriculum, Instructional Leadership, Elementary SchoolAbstract
This study examines how educational leadership supports the implementation of the Independent Curriculum at SDN 01 Karangpucung, Indonesia. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed using semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis. The principal served as the primary informant, while six teachers provided supporting perspectives. Data were analyzed through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing, with triangulation used to enhance credibility. The findings indicate that the principal integrates managerial, instructional, transformational, and supervisory leadership to facilitate curriculum implementation. Competency-based teacher workload allocation, continuous instructional guidance, collaborative professional practices, and systematic curriculum evaluation contribute to improving teaching quality and curriculum implementation. However, challenges remain, particularly students' varying literacy abilities and inconsistent parental involvement. The study concludes that an integrated leadership approach is essential for effective curriculum implementation and sustainable school improvement. These findings provide practical insights for school leaders in strengthening curriculum reform through adaptive leadership and collaborative educational practices.
References
Afkarina, M., & Puspita W, D. M. A. (2023). Building Organizational Culture in Islamic Education with Collaborative Leadership as the Key. AFKARINA: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.33650/afkarina.v8i1.9312
Agusnani, A., Radiana, U., Yunitaningrum, W., Maryuni, S., & Waruru, M. (2025). Transformational Leadership Strategies of the School Principal in Implementing the Independent Curriculum at SMP Negeri 7 Dedai, Sintang Regency. JPMI (Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika Indonesia), 11(1), 47. https://doi.org/10.26737/jpmi.v11i1.7920
Amanda, V. A. P., Andini, D. W., & Muanifah, M. T. (2023). Analisis Kesiapan Guru dalam Melaksanakan Sistem Pembelajaran Kurikulum Merdeka di SD Negeri Timbulharjo Sewon Bantul Yogyakarta. Indonesian Journal of Learning and Educational Studies, 1(2), 87–96. https://doi.org/10.62385/ijles.v1i2.29
Buchori, A., Asmara, U. H., & Aswandi, A. (2018). The Role of Headmaster Managerial to Create A Healthy School (Case Study at Senior High School of Muhammadiyah Sambas). JETL (Journal Of Education, Teaching and Learning), 3(2), 244. https://doi.org/10.26737/jetl.v3i2.759
Hadijah, N. (2024). The Impact of Leadership Styles on Teacher Performance. Research Invention Journal of Law, Communication and Languages, 4(1), 13–18. https://doi.org/10.59298/RIJLCL/2024/411318
Hakim, N., Ari Susetiyo, & Riska Latifatul Husna. (2026). Exploring The Role Of Teacher Leaders In The Implementation Of The Independent Curriculum. Celebes Journal of Elementary Education, 4(1), 68–84. https://doi.org/10.31605/cjee.v4i1.6519
Isa, I., Asrori, M., & Muharini, R. (2022). Peran Kepala Sekolah dalam Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka di Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Basicedu, 6(6), 9947–9957. https://doi.org/10.31004/basicedu.v6i6.4175
Kadariah, K. (2020). Analysis of the Principal’s Role in Improving the Quality of Primary School Management. Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Administrasi Publik, 9(2), 305. https://doi.org/10.26858/jiap.v9i2.12333
Kilag, O. K. T., & Sasan, J. M. (2023). Unpacking the Role of Instructional Leadership in Teacher Professional Development. Advanced Qualitative Research, 1(1), 63–73. https://doi.org/10.31098/aqr.v1i1.1380
Kurniati, N., Halidjah, S., & Priyadi, A. T. (2023). Peran Orang Tua dalam Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka di Sekolah Dasar Negeri 17 Kabupaten Sintang. JPDI (Jurnal Pendidikan Dasar Indonesia), 8(3), 112. https://doi.org/10.26737/jpdi.v8i3.4730
Kusrinisari, Fauzi Hermansyah, Mahmudah, Yulian Devinta Romli, & A. Faizin. (2025). Implementasi Kepemimpinan Kolaboratif Kepala Sekolah Dalam Menghadapi Tantangan Kurikulum. Journal Educatione: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan, 2(2), 1–17.
Lv, X., Yan, R., & Wang, S. (2025). The relationship between family-school-community collaboration and students’ academic achievement: A Moderated Mediation Model. International Journal of Educational Research, 134, 102774. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2025.102774
Naitupulu, D. (2024). Strategi Manajemen Kurikulum Merdeka: Studi Kasus di SMA Methodist Medan. Jurnal Manajemen Dan Akuntansi Medan, 6(1), 7–13. https://doi.org/10.47709/jumansi.v6i1.6740
Nguyen, N. P., Hang, N. T. T., Hiep, N., & Flynn, O. (2023). Does transformational leadership influence organisational culture and organisational performance: Empirical evidence from an emerging country. IIMB Management Review, 35(4), 382–392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iimb.2023.10.001
Oladimeji, R. M., Akanbi, L. S., Abdullahi, R., & Abdulrauf, K. O. (2024). Head Teacher Leadership in Nigerian Basic Education: Responsibilities, Challenges, and Prospects. Eduvis : Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 9(2), 106–117. https://doi.org/10.47453/eduvis.v9i2.3290
Peleg, S. (2012). The Role of Leadership in the Education System. Education Journal, 1(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.edu.20120101.12
Prabahar, I. B., & Jerome, V. B. (2023). The Leadership Styles of Administrators and the Professional Effectiveness of Teachers - Enlighten Innovation and Creative Learning Among Educational Institutions. International Journal of Professional Business Review, 8(5), e01996. https://doi.org/10.26668/businessreview/2023.v8i5.1996
Purba, E. Y., & Idawati, L. (2025). The Role of Instructional Leadership in Improving the Performance of Primary School Teachers Without Relevant Educational Background in the Subjects They Teach. Cerdika: Jurnal Ilmiah Indonesia, 5(11), 2435–2447. https://doi.org/10.59141/cerdika.v5i11.2754
Ralebese, M. D., Jita, L., & Badmus, O. T. (2025). Examining Primary School Principals’ Instructional Leadership Practices: A Case Study on Curriculum Reform and Implementation. Education Sciences, 15(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15010070
Santosa, A. B., & Zuhaery, M. (2021). Membangun Karakter Siswa melalui Kesantunan Bahasa. Perspektif Pendidikan Dan Keguruan, 12(2), 84–89. https://doi.org/10.25299/perspektif.2021.vol12(1).7552
Saputra, E., Danim, S., Sasongko, R. N., Pujianto, D., & Wardana, R. W. (2025). Studi literatur: peran administrasi sekolah dalam mendukung implementasi kurikulum. Jurnal Konseling Dan Pendidikan, 13(1), 11–25. https://doi.org/10.29210/1133800
Sariakin, S., Yeni, M., Usman, M. Bin, Mare, A. S., Munzir, M., & Saleh, M. (2025). Fostering a productive educational environment: the roles of leadership, management practices, and teacher motivation. Frontiers in Education, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1499064
Sudjiati, S., & Muhdi, M. (2024). Peran Kepala Sekolah Sebagai Manajer dalam Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka. Jurnal Inovasi Pembelajaran Di Sekolah, 5(1), 158–167. https://doi.org/10.51874/jips.v5i1.204
Sukmara, G., Yuliana, L., Retnowati, E., & Jannah, N. M. (2023). The Important Role of Principal in Academic Supervision to Improve Teacher Competency in Society 5.0 Era. Cendekia: Jurnal Kependidikan Dan Kemasyarakatan, 21(2), 268–284. https://doi.org/10.21154/cendekia.v21i2.6926
Supriadin, S., & Nurbaiti, N. (2025). Pengaruh Kolaborasi Antarguru dalam Pengembangan Modul Bahasa dan Sastra Kontekstual. Pendidikan Bahasa Dan Sastra, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.58258/pendibas.v4i1.8637
Susanto, E., & Kumar, K. S. (2022). Duties and Responsibilities of Educational Management. PPSDP International Journal of Education, 1(1), 17–42. https://doi.org/10.59175/pijed.v1i1.4
Tunggal, A., Haeruddin, H., & Akhmad, A. (2025). Kolaborasi Kepala Sekolah dan Guru dalam Manajemen Kurikulum Kontekstual. Jurnal Basicedu, 9(4), 881–890. https://doi.org/10.31004/basicedu.v9i4.10208
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Technopreneurship and Educational Development Review (TENDER)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

