The Implementation of School-Based Management Policy in Indonesia: A Survey on Public Junior High School Principals’ Perceptions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify principals’ perceptions and implementation of school-based management at twenty-four public junior high schools in Jambi City, Indonesia.  A questionnaire was used as a research instrument to twenty-four public junior high schools principals. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The results of the study indicated that the policy of school-based management placed principals to have autonomy and the shared decision making to run their school programs. Additionally, being a principal under school-based management [hereinafter termed SBM] allowed principals to work with the school advisory council as an integral part of the development of the school's improvement plan, particularly the school advisory council was involved in developing school plans, including objectives, strategies, and actions.  Principals also indicated that the policy contributed positively to improvements in student achievement. However, the findings indicated that the policy of school-based management necessitated participants to spend too much time on administrative tasks. Also some participants were not sure if the policy of school-based management contributed to a climate which enhanced stakeholders’ satisfaction. The findings also indicated that student representative, staff, and administrators other than principals were missing in the school advisory council. This study provided information for policy makers, principals, parents, and teacher educators to understand how the policy of school-based management is implemented at the school level. Implications for practice and further research are also discussed.

Key words: Indonesian school-based management policy, principal, perceptions, junior high schools