Instructional Leadership Management for Teachers in Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51278/bpr.v5i3.2169Keywords:
Instructional Leadership, Educational Management, Teacher Performance, PrincipalAbstract
In the context of education in Indonesia, the quality of learning is largely determined by the effectiveness of instructional leadership implemented by school leaders, especially principals. Instructional leadership plays an important role in guiding teachers to improve the quality of teaching, learning planning, and student learning outcomes. Unfortunately, many teachers in Indonesia still face challenges in terms of academic supervision, development of pedagogical competence, and lack of collaborative culture supported by strong leadership management. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct an in-depth study on how the instructional leadership model can be managed strategically in the context of Indonesian education. This study aims to analyze the role and strategies of instructional leadership management in supporting teacher performance in Indonesia. Specifically, this study explores best practices, implementation barriers, and the contribution of instructional leadership to teacher professional development and improving the quality of learning. The method used is qualitative research based on literature review, by reviewing various scientific articles, education policy reports, and relevant academic publications from the last 5 years. The analysis was conducted thematically to identify patterns, approaches, and strategic implications of instructional leadership practices in Indonesian schools. The results of the study show that the success of instructional leadership is greatly influenced by the principal's ability to build a learning vision, provide professional support to teachers, and create a conducive school climate. In addition, teacher involvement in decision-making and ongoing training has been shown to increase learning effectiveness. Instructional leadership is an important pillar in education management in Indonesia. Strengthening the principal's managerial function, collaboration of teaching teams, and support for education policies are essential to ensure that instructional leadership can contribute to improving teacher quality and student learning outcomes sustainably.
References
Abdulai, N. (2025). Developing SIT Leadership Framework: Teacher and Student Perspective for Basic School Management in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. South Asian Research Journal of Arts, Language and Literature, 7(03), 58–64.https://doi.org/10.36346/sarjall.2025.v07i03.001
Abonyi, U.K., Boateng, F.K., Adjei-Boateng, E., & Ansaah, E. (2024). Promoting gender equity in school leadership appointments: A comparison of male and female headteachers' instructional leadership practices in Ghana. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 52(3), 610–628.https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432221090746
Akgöz, E.E., Şahin, F., & Erdoğan, O. (2024). The mediating role of school climate in the relationship between instructional leadership behaviors of school principals and teacher autonomy. International Journal of Educational Management, 38(4), 1142–1159.https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-07-2023-0323
Akullo, E. A., & Kamanyire, V. K. (2023). Head teacher Leadership Styles and Teacher Performance in Primary Schools in Kaabong District, Uganda. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(1), 40–67.https://doi.org/10.47941/jep.1182
Bada, HA, Tengku Ariffin, TF, & Nordin, HB (2024). The Effectiveness of Teachers in Nigerian Secondary Schools: The Role of Instructional Leadership of Principals. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 27(1), 44–71.https://doi.org/10.1080/13603124.2020.1811899
Basthomi, Y. Al, Sunandar, A., & Timan, A. (2023). Instructional Leadership Role Through Kurt Lewin's Model to Enhance Culture of Change in Teacher Capabilities. Educative Journal: Journal of Educational Studies, 8(2), 201.https://doi.org/10.30983/educative.v8i2.7464
Battad, J. L. (2024). Instructional Leadership Skills of School Heads and Its Relation to the Self-Efficacy of Elementary Teachers in Castillejos District. International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research, 5(8), 3071–3078.https://doi.org/10.11594/ijmaber.05.08.12
Bhayangkara, AN, Ahmadi, WH, Firdaus, DB, Prestiadi, D., & Sumarsono, RB (2020). The Role of Instructional Leadership Through Kurt Lewin Model in Improving the Teacher Capability. Proceedings of the 2nd Early Childhood and Primary Childhood Education (ECPE 2020).https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.201112.054
Brandon, J., Hollweck, T., Donlevy, J. K., & Whalen, C. (2018). Teacher supervision and evaluation challenges: Canadian perspectives on overall instructional leadership. Teachers and Teaching, 24(3), 263–280.https://doi.org/10.1080/13540602.2018.1425678
Burkhanova, A.D., & Tazhina, G.O. (2020). Relationship between university teachers' emotional intelligence and instructional leadership competences: overview of the literature. The Journal of Psychology and Sociology, 72(1).https://doi.org/10.26577/JPsS.2020.v72.i1.11
Castro, A. J. (2023). Managing Competing Demands in a Teacher Shortage Context: The Impact of Teacher Shortages on Principal Leadership Practices. Educational Administration Quarterly, 59(1), 218–250.https://doi.org/10.1177/0013161X221140849
Cravens, X. C., & Zhao, Q. (2023). Exercising instructional leadership with organizational management: a qualitative and comparative study of Chinese principalship. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 53(7), 1225–1243.https://doi.org/10.1080/03057925.2021.2022455
Creary, S. (2025). An Examination of Lecturers' Perceptions of Instructional Leadership and Teacher Efficacy in Jamaican Community Colleges. European Journal of Education and Pedagogy, 6(2), 133–145.https://doi.org/10.24018/ejedu.2025.6.2.946
Entong, Z., & Abdul Aziz, N.A. (2023). The Relationship Between Principals' Instructional Leadership and Teachers' Efficacy in Xuzhou, China. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(10).https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v13-i10/19065
Gaston, V.A. (2024). Instructional Leadership of School Heads and its Impact on Teachers' Professional Development. Instabright International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 5(1), 01–32.https://doi.org/10.52877/instabright.05.01.0202
Harianto, JE, Umam, FC, Ginanjar, F., Hidayat, Y., & Muiz, A. (2025). The Impact of Leadership Styles on School Performance: A Comparative Study of Educational Management Models. International Journal for Science Reviews, 2(3).https://doi.org/10.71364/ijfsr.v2i3.23
Holzberger, D., & Schiefe-Tiska, A. (2021). Is the school context associated with instructional quality? The effects of social composition, leadership, teacher collaboration, and school climate. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 32(3), 465–485.https://doi.org/10.1080/09243453.2021.1913190
Hompashe, D. M. (2024). Does instructional leadership drive educational improvement in South Africa? Evidence from Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analysis. Development Southern Africa, 41(2), 404–426.https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2024.2309455
Langdon Warren, L. (2021). The Importance of Teacher Leadership Skills in the Classroom. Education Journal, 10(1), 8.https://doi.org/10.11648/j.edu.20211001.12
Lin, Y., & Hu, D. (2025). Instructional leadership malfunction in rural areas: Examining the influence of principal instructional leadership on instructional quality in Chinese rural schools. Educational Management Administration & Leadership.https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432251346085
Lingam, G., Lingam, N., & Singh, S. (2021). Instructional Leadership Practices: Teachers Perceptions of a Rural School Principal in Fiji. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 46(6), 20–35.https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2021v46n6.2
Liu, S., & Hallinger, P. (2018). Principal Instructional Leadership, Teacher Self-Efficacy, and Teacher Professional Learning in China: Testing a Mediated-Effects Model. Educational Administration Quarterly, 54(4), 501–528.https://doi.org/10.1177/0013161X18769048
Luaran, J.E., Azmi, D.N., & Jain, J. (2025). Examining the Quality of Instructional Leadership Behaviors and Efficacy among Secondary School Teachers in Hulu Langat District, Selangor. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, IX(IV), 5034–5044.https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.90400362
Malinga, CB, Jita, LC, & Bada, AA (2021). Middle Management and Instructional Leadership: The Case of Natural Sciences' Heads of Departments in South Africa. JETL (Journal of Education, Teaching and Learning), 6(2), 119.https://doi.org/10.26737/jetl.v6i2.2425
Mbua, E.M. (2023). Effectiveness of Instructional School Leadership in Public Secondary Schools in Buea. American Journal of Leadership and Governance, 8(1), 1–18.https://doi.org/10.47672/ajlg.1362
MONTALES, DBU (2024). The Impact of a School Principal's Leadership Style on the School Climate. GEO Academic Journal, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.56738/issn29603986.geo2024.5.89
Pana, E. (2024). School Heads' Instructional Leadership and Performance: Basis for Strategic Leadership Program. International Journal of Scientific and Management Research, 07(02), 26–40.https://doi.org/10.37502/IJSMR.2024.7203
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
S. Aguilar, J. (2023). Management Competency of School Heads: Basis for Effective and Improved School Leadership. International Journal of Social Science Humanity & Management Research, 2(10).https://doi.org/10.58806/ijsshmr.2023.v2i10n01
Saensuriwong, J., Chalakbang, W., & Phengsawat, W. (2024). Development of Instructional Leadership Indicators of Teachers in Educational Opportunity Expansion Schools under the Primary Educational Service Area Offices in the Northeast. International Education Studies, 17(4), 118.https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v17n4p118
Semila, CE, Abellana, AL, & Orongan, RC (2025). Instructional Leadership and Financial Management on Teachers' Job Satisfaction. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 2664–2667.https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25may1211
Sindhvad, S., Mikayilova, U., & Kazimzade, E. (2022). Factors influencing instructional leadership capacity in Baku, Azerbaijan. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 50(1), 81–98.https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143220938364
Sukarmin, S., & Sin, I. (2021). School Health as the Mediator Variable: Determinants of the Principal Instructional Leadership Behavior. European Journal of Educational Research, volume-10-(volume-10-issue-3-july-2021), 1275–1286.https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.10.3.1275
Sundari, S., Suwito, S., & Wibowo, E. (2023). Analysis of School-Based Management and Principal Leadership in Improving Teacher Performance. Journal of Innovation in Teaching and Instructional Media, 3(2), 68–78.https://doi.org/10.52690/jitim.v3i2.708
Tan, C.Y., Liu, P., & Wong, WLV (2020). Different Patterns of Relationships Between Principal Leadership and 15-Year-Old Students' Science Learning: How School Resources, Teacher Quality, and School Socioeconomic Status Make a Difference. Frontiers in Psychology, 11.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02257
Torres, A.C., Bulkley, K., & Kim, T. (2020). Shared Leadership for Learning in Denver's Portfolio Management Model. Educational Administration Quarterly, 56(5), 819–855.https://doi.org/10.1177/0013161X20906546
Victoria, H. N. (2025). Teacher's Self - Efficacy and Empowerment in a Secondary Public High School: Towards Strategies for Building Leadership Role. International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology, 13(5), 4302–4339.https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2025.71193
Xin, Z., & Tahir, S. B. (2024). Effect of Distributed and Instructional Leadership of Chinese School Principals on the Job Satisfaction of Teachers: A Conceptual Paper. South Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 5(4), 38–61.https://doi.org/10.48165/sajssh.2024.5403
Zhan, X., & Cao, M. (2023). Contextual imperatives for effective shared instructional leadership: a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. Journal of Educational Administration, 61(2), 144–161.https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-07-2022-0109
Zheng, S., & Abdullah, MY bin. (2024). Teachers Leadership Influences On Students Comprehensive Ability. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 14(11), 137–141.https://doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.14.11.2024.p15520
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Rita Prima Bendriyanti, Citra Dewi, Suwarni

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

