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FORMOSA NEWS - North Sumatra - School Leadership Drives Teacher Performance by 43.9% in North Sumatra Madrasah. A 2026 study by Musyrifah, Fasrah Sinaga, Muhammad Yusuf Hanafi, Alfi Nurhidil, Muhammad Ikhsan, and Eddi Suprayitno from University of Islam North Sumatra reveals that strong school leadership significantly improves teacher performance at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Negeri 3 Serdang Bedagai. Published in the Journal of Finance and Business Digital (JFBD), the research shows leadership accounts for 43.9% of teacher performance outcomes highlighting the central role of principals in shaping education quality in Indonesia.
Why Teacher Performance Remains a Challenge
Across many Indonesian schools, teacher performance still faces persistent issues, including inconsistent discipline, limited commitment, and gaps in instructional quality. These challenges directly affect student outcomes and the overall effectiveness of the education system. Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Negeri 3 Serdang Bedagai, a state Islamic elementary school in North Sumatra with an A accreditation, reflects this broader reality. Despite adequate facilities and a long institutional history since 1970, the school continues to face issues such as punctuality and uneven professional standards among teachers. Researchers from Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara identified leadership as a key variable influencing these conditions, alongside other factors like work discipline, organizational culture, and teacher motivation.
How the Study Was Conducted
The research team used a quantitative, correlational design to examine the relationship between leadership and teacher performance. All 32 teachers at the madrasah participated in the study, making it a full-population analysis rather than a sample-based estimate. Data was collected through structured questionnaires using a five-point agreement scale. Teachers evaluated both the leadership of the principal and their own performance. The researchers then analyzed the data using statistical methods, including regression analysis, to measure the strength and significance of the relationship. This approach allowed the team to produce measurable, evidence-based conclusions about how leadership affects teacher outcomes.
Key Findings: Leadership Has a Strong and Measurable Impact
The study presents clear statistical evidence that leadership plays a major role in improving teacher performance:
Why Teacher Performance Remains a Challenge
Across many Indonesian schools, teacher performance still faces persistent issues, including inconsistent discipline, limited commitment, and gaps in instructional quality. These challenges directly affect student outcomes and the overall effectiveness of the education system. Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Negeri 3 Serdang Bedagai, a state Islamic elementary school in North Sumatra with an A accreditation, reflects this broader reality. Despite adequate facilities and a long institutional history since 1970, the school continues to face issues such as punctuality and uneven professional standards among teachers. Researchers from Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara identified leadership as a key variable influencing these conditions, alongside other factors like work discipline, organizational culture, and teacher motivation.
How the Study Was Conducted
The research team used a quantitative, correlational design to examine the relationship between leadership and teacher performance. All 32 teachers at the madrasah participated in the study, making it a full-population analysis rather than a sample-based estimate. Data was collected through structured questionnaires using a five-point agreement scale. Teachers evaluated both the leadership of the principal and their own performance. The researchers then analyzed the data using statistical methods, including regression analysis, to measure the strength and significance of the relationship. This approach allowed the team to produce measurable, evidence-based conclusions about how leadership affects teacher outcomes.
Key Findings: Leadership Has a Strong and Measurable Impact
The study presents clear statistical evidence that leadership plays a major role in improving teacher performance:
- Leadership has a positive and significant effect on teacher performance.
- Statistical test results show t-value: 3.734, exceeding the benchmark of 1.697.
- Significance level recorded at 0.000, well below the 0.05 threshold.
- Leadership contributes 43.9% to overall teacher performance (R² = 0.439).
In practical terms, the results indicate that better leadership directly leads to better teacher performance. Every measurable improvement in leadership quality is followed by a corresponding increase in how effectively teachers carry out their duties. The study also confirms that the remaining 56.1% of performance is influenced by other factors such as motivation, discipline, and school culture.
Real-World Impact on Education Policy and Practice
The findings have direct implications for schools, policymakers, and education leaders across Indonesia and similar education systems. For schools, the study provides a clear direction: improving leadership quality should be a top priority. Principals are not only administrators but also drivers of teacher motivation and performance. For policymakers, the research supports the need for leadership training programs that focus on interpersonal skills, communication, and teacher engagement not just technical management. For teachers, a supportive leadership environment can lead to higher job satisfaction, stronger motivation, and better classroom outcomes. Ultimately, the research reinforces a simple but powerful conclusion: improving education quality starts with improving leadership.
Author Profiles
Real-World Impact on Education Policy and Practice
The findings have direct implications for schools, policymakers, and education leaders across Indonesia and similar education systems. For schools, the study provides a clear direction: improving leadership quality should be a top priority. Principals are not only administrators but also drivers of teacher motivation and performance. For policymakers, the research supports the need for leadership training programs that focus on interpersonal skills, communication, and teacher engagement not just technical management. For teachers, a supportive leadership environment can lead to higher job satisfaction, stronger motivation, and better classroom outcomes. Ultimately, the research reinforces a simple but powerful conclusion: improving education quality starts with improving leadership.
Author Profiles
Musyrifah – Researcher in education management, University of Islam North Sumatra.
Fasrah Sinaga – Lecturer and education researcher, University of Islam North Sumatra.
Muhammad Yusuf Hanafi – Academic researcher in education, University of Islam North Sumatra.
Alfi Nurhidil – Specialist in Islamic education studies, University of Islam North Sumatra.
Muhammad Ikhsan – Education researcher, University of Islam North Sumatra.
Dr. Eddi Suprayitno – Senior lecturer and researcher in leadership and organizational performance, University of Islam North Sumatra.
Sources
Elviadi, Roli Bagus Sentana, Sinarta Dautama Tarigan, Muhammad Kurniawan, Hendra, dan T.A. Helmi. “Analysis of the Influence of Motivation on the Performance of Employees of the Plantation and Livestock Service of East Aceh Regency”. Journal of Finance and Business Digital (JFBD). Vol. 5, No. 1, Tahun 2026 Hal. 103-116
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/jfbd.v5i1.14
URL: https://journaljfbd.my.id/index.php/jfbd
Sources
Elviadi, Roli Bagus Sentana, Sinarta Dautama Tarigan, Muhammad Kurniawan, Hendra, dan T.A. Helmi. “Analysis of the Influence of Motivation on the Performance of Employees of the Plantation and Livestock Service of East Aceh Regency”. Journal of Finance and Business Digital (JFBD). Vol. 5, No. 1, Tahun 2026 Hal. 103-116
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/jfbd.v5i1.14
URL: https://journaljfbd.my.id/index.php/jfbd
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