Strategic Management by ECE Principals: A Case Study of Indonesia’s Driving School Program

Abstract

Educational quality disparity remains a central issue in Indonesia. The national ‘Sekolah Penggerak’ (Driving School) Program was initiated to foster quality transformation through school leadership. This study aims to analyze the implementation of strategic management by an early childhood education (ECE) principal within this program. A qualitative case study was conducted at TK Fathul Mubiin in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara. Data were collected through observations, interviews with the principal and teachers, and documentation review. The findings reveal that the principal’s strategic management process involved: (1) participatory strategic planning through internal and external environment analysis; (2) strategy implementation focused on clear communication, active stakeholder engagement, and competency-based task delegation; and (3) evaluative measures emphasizing performance benchmarking and corrective actions. The study concludes that the principal’s active role in these three phases is critical to navigating the program’s challenges. It implies that sustainable educational improvement programs require strengthening strategic leadership competencies at the ECE level. This case offers valuable insights for policymakers and school leaders aiming to implement similar transformative programs in similar contexts.