The Principal Transformational Leadership Strategy in Developing National Policies for Strengthening Character Education in Eastern Indonesia

This study aims to describe the development of national education
policies by uniting the main character values set by the Indonesian Ministry
of Education with the moral values of the Lonto leok culture of the Manggarai
community. Also, to find out and explain the role of the principal’s leadership
based on the Lonto Leok culture teaching approach. This research used a
qualitative approach, case study design. To achieve research objectives, data
collection through in-depth interviews, observation of participants, and study
documentation. Data analysis used a modified analytic analysis method.
Data validity is assessed based on the level of credibility, transferability,
dependability, and confirmability. The results of the study explained that the
school’s character values derived from the unification of national character
values and the cultural values of Lonto Leok culture had an effective impact
on shaping the character of students at school. Besides, explaining that the
application of the principal’s transformational leadership role model based
on the approach of Lonto Leok’s cultural teaching dimensions encourages
all components of the school, parents, and community to actively participate
in supporting the implementation of character education strengthening
programs in schools. The contribution of this research is to position the
moral values of the “Lonto Leok” culture of the Manggarai community as
local cultural assets that support the formation of student character. Also,
the dimensions of teaching lonto leok culture affect effectively supporting
the principal’s transformational leadership behavior, so that the program to
strengthen character education is optimally implemented