For theological schools in Papua, these challenges can be more complex because educational development takes place alongside geographical, infrastructure, and local-context considerations. At the same time, faith-based institutions have distinctive resources, including spiritual values, community relationships, and partnerships with churches.
SMTK Marturia Sentani Jayapura reflects this combination. According to the study, the school has strong relationships with churches, parents, teachers, students, and local communities. However, it also faces limitations in educational facilities, internet connectivity, digital learning resources, and technological readiness among teachers.
How the Study Was Conducted
Belwawin used a qualitative case-study approach focusing on SMTK Marturia Sentani Jayapura as a single Christian theological secondary school in Papua.
The study involved 10 informants directly connected to school management and development. They included:
- One principal
- Two vice principals
- Four teachers
- One administrative staff member
- Two representatives from the school committee and church community
Spiritual Identity Emerges as a Strategic Strength
One of the clearest findings is that SMTK Marturia Sentani Jayapura's spiritual identity is more than an institutional characteristic. The study identifies it as an important source of public trust and institutional competitiveness.
The school has developed a community-oriented culture in which teachers, students, churches, and local communities maintain close relationships. Worship programs, community services, church collaboration, and character-development activities are part of the school's institutional culture.
The research found that parents and community members value the school's combination of academic education, character formation, and spiritual guidance. These relationships contribute to the school's social legitimacy and help distinguish it from other educational institutions in the surrounding area.
The principal interviewed for the study described the school's strength as its family-oriented environment, where academic learning is combined with character and spiritual development. A teacher similarly highlighted the close relationship between teachers and students and the school's spiritual guidance.
For Belwawin, the significance of this finding lies in how spiritual values and community relationships can function as institutional resources. In the context of SMTK Marturia Sentani Jayapura, competitiveness is therefore not defined solely by academic achievement.
Digital Development Remains a Major Priority
The study also identifies areas requiring further attention, particularly educational infrastructure and digital adaptation.
The school continues to face limitations in internet connectivity, digital learning facilities, multimedia equipment, and teachers' technological competencies. Some administrative processes also remain manual, reducing opportunities for greater efficiency through digital systems.
Interviews with school personnel indicated that limited access to technology training has affected teachers' readiness to implement digital learning. Observations also found that some classrooms lacked multimedia equipment and did not have equal internet access.
These findings do not simply point to a need for more equipment. They indicate that technological development also requires investment in human resources. Teachers need opportunities to build digital skills, while school management needs systems that allow technology to become part of everyday educational and administrative activities.
Community Support Creates Opportunities
While technological adaptation represents a challenge, the research identifies strong community involvement as a major external opportunity.
Churches, parents, and local communities continue to participate in school activities, including spiritual programs, social services, and student character development. This network provides social support and strengthens the school's relationship with the community.
The study found that community involvement can contribute to institutional resilience even when educational facilities remain limited. In this context, community relationships are not simply supportive activities; they can become part of a long-term institutional development strategy.
This finding is particularly relevant for educational institutions operating in local communities where social relationships are an important part of institutional sustainability.
Four Strategic Priorities
Based on the SWOT analysis, Belwawin identified several strategic directions for SMTK Marturia Sentani Jayapura.
First, strengthen institutional branding. The school can build its public identity around spiritual values, character education, and its relationship with the community.
Second, improve digital educational capacity. Internet access, digital learning facilities, administrative systems, and technology use should be developed progressively.
Third, strengthen teacher competencies. Professional development should include digital skills and the ability to use technology in teaching.
Fourth, expand strategic partnerships. Collaboration with churches, parents, and local communities can be integrated into long-term institutional development.
The study therefore presents SWOT analysis not simply as an evaluation checklist, but as a framework for connecting what a school already does well with opportunities for future development.
Implications for Educational Management
The findings suggest that schools do not necessarily have to compete by focusing on the same indicators or development models. Institutional strengths can emerge from characteristics that are deeply connected to the school's identity and local environment.
For SMTK Marturia Sentani Jayapura, the combination of spiritual education, community engagement, and local relationships provides a foundation that can be strengthened alongside improvements in technology and management.
The practical message from Belwawin's research is that competitiveness can be built through balance. Schools need to address weaknesses such as limited digital infrastructure while continuing to develop the strengths that already generate trust and institutional identity.
The study concludes that sustainable competitiveness requires the integration of spiritual values, community engagement, teacher development, digital capacity, and adaptive management. It recommends continued investment in digital capabilities, teacher competencies, strategic partnerships, and institution-wide branding based on character and spiritual education.
Author Profile
Hendrik Belwawin is the author of the study and is affiliated with STAKPN Sentani, Indonesia. His research focuses on strategic management in education, SWOT-based institutional development, educational competitiveness, school management, and the sustainability of faith-based educational institutions.
Research Source
Article Title: SWOT Analysis-Based Management Strategies for Enhancing the Competitiveness of SMTK Marturia Sentani Jayapura
Author: Hendrik Belwawin
Affiliation: STAKPN Sentani, Indonesia
Journal: International Journal of Applied Educational Research (IJAER)
Publication Year: 2026
Volume: 4, No. 3, pp. 171–188
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijaer.v4i3.1
Official Journal: https://journalijaer.my.id/index.php/ijaer/index
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