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本研究旨在阐述如何通过将印度尼西亚教育部设定的核心品格价值体系，与曼加莱（Manggarai）社群的伦托莱奥克（Lonto leok）文化道德价值观相结合，推进国家教育政策的发展；同时探究并阐释基于伦托莱奥克文化教学范式的校长领导力的作用机制。 本研究采用质性研究方法与案例研究设计。为达成研究目标，研究数据通过深度访谈、针对研究参与者的实地观察以及文献档案梳理的方式收集。数据分析采用改良型分析方法。数据效度基于可信度、可迁移性、可靠性与可确证性四个维度进行评估。 研究结果表明，融合国家品格价值体系与伦托莱奥克文化价值观所构建的学校品格价值体系，对在校学生的品格塑造具有显著成效。此外，研究还阐释了基于伦托莱奥克文化教学维度的校长变革型领导力角色模型的应用，能够激励学校、家长与社群的所有主体积极参与，共同支持学校品格教育强化项目的落地实施。 本研究的贡献在于，将曼加莱社群的伦托莱奥克文化道德价值观定位为助力学生品格塑造的本土文化资产；同时，伦托莱奥克文化教学维度能够有效支撑校长的变革型领导行为，从而实现品格教育强化项目的最优落地。