Why School Governance Is Under the Spotlight
School governance has become a central issue in education policy worldwide. Communities increasingly expect schools to operate not only as learning institutions but also as transparent and accountable public organizations. In Indonesia, decentralization and school-based management reforms have given schools greater autonomy, while at the same time increasing scrutiny from parents, communities, and local governments.
In provinces such as Banten, many public schools still rely on top-down decision-making. Teachers, parents, and students are often formally represented through school committees, but their involvement may remain symbolic. At the same time, ethical challenges—such as inconsistent rule enforcement or unclear accountability—can weaken public trust. Against this backdrop, understanding how participation and ethics work together in everyday school governance has become highly relevant.
How the Research Was Conducted
The research used a mixed-methods explanatory approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data to capture both measurable outcomes and real-world governance dynamics.
The study was carried out at a public senior high school in Serang City and involved:
· A survey of 60 respondents, including teachers, education staff, and school committee members
· In-depth interviews with eight key stakeholders, including the principal, vice principal, teachers, parents, a school committee representative, and a student
· Analysis of institutional documents, such as school regulations, committee reports, and ethics guidelines
Survey responses were analyzed using regression techniques to examine relationships between participation, ethical management, and governance sustainability. Interview data were thematically analyzed to explain how these relationships play out in daily school practice.
Key Findings: Participation and Ethics Reinforce Each Other
The study found that participatory decision-making and ethical management each play a strong role in strengthening school governance. When combined, their impact is even greater.
Participatory decision-making builds trust and transparency
Teachers, parents, and school committee members who were actively involved in discussions and policy formulation reported higher levels of trust in school leadership. Open meetings and shared deliberation improved transparency around programs and finances, while collective decision-making increased accountability.
Survey results showed high average scores for governance indicators linked to participation:
· Trust: 4.21 out of 5
· Transparency: 4.18
· Accountability: 4.25
Interview participants emphasized that regular dialogue made decisions easier to accept because stakeholders felt included from the beginning.
Ethical management strengthens leadership integrity
Ethical management emerged as a critical foundation for sustainable governance. Respondents rated leadership consistency, fairness, and rule enforcement very highly, with average scores above 4.25 out of 5. Ethical behavior by school leaders reinforced credibility and reduced perceptions of favoritism.
Parents and teachers noted that ethical consistency increased their confidence in school policies, especially during sensitive decisions involving resources or discipline.
The strongest results come from combining both approaches
Quantitative analysis showed that participatory decision-making and ethical management together had the greatest effect on sustainable school governance. The combined influence was stronger than either factor alone, indicating a clear synergy.
In practice, ethical principles helped guide participatory processes, while participation ensured that ethical standards were visible and collectively monitored. This combination supported governance that was more adaptive, inclusive, and resilient.
Real-World Challenges in Implementation
The research also identified practical dynamics in applying participatory and ethical governance. Collaboration takes time. Respondents acknowledged that inclusive discussions often slow down decision-making and require more coordination.
However, most participants agreed that the benefits outweighed the costs. Policies developed through open and ethical processes were more widely accepted and reduced conflict in the long term. As one school leader noted during interviews, longer discussions led to more mature decisions because all perspectives were considered.
Why the Findings Matter for Education Policy
The study has clear implications for schools and policymakers across Indonesia.
· For school leaders, the findings highlight the importance of moving beyond formal participation toward meaningful involvement supported by ethical leadership.
· For education authorities, the results suggest that governance reforms should address both decision-making structures and leadership values at the same time.
· For communities, participatory and ethical governance strengthens trust and encourages shared responsibility for school development.
As Pierre Marcello Lopulalan of Poltekpel Banten explains, sustainable school governance cannot rely on procedures alone. Ethical management provides the moral framework that allows participation to function effectively and fairly.
Author Profile
Pierre Marcello Lopulalan,
M.M. Lecturer and education governance researcher
Politeknik Pelayaran Banten (Poltekpel Banten) Field of expertise: school
governance, participatory decision-making, and ethical management in education
Source
Journal Article: Building Sustainable School Governance through Participatory Decision-Making and Ethical Management
Journal: Asian Journal of Applied Education
Publication Year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/ajae.v5i1.15845
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