The Relationship Between School Principals’ Leadership and Learning Innovation in The Implementation of The Merdeka Curriculum

Authors

  • Arfiani Yulianti Fiyul Universitas Islam Syekh Yusuf

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31004/joecy.v5i2.2982

Keywords:

School Principal Leadership; Learning Innovation; Merdeka Curriculum

Abstract

This study aims to examine the relationship between school principals’ leadership and instructional innovation in the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum. As this curriculum promotes the concept of learning freedom, school principals play a pivotal role in guiding and fostering innovation in teaching and learning. The research adopts a quantitative approach with a correlational design. Data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 150 school principals and teachers across various schools in Indonesia that have adopted the Merdeka Curriculum. The findings reveal a significant correlation between principals’ leadership and learning innovation, with transformational leadership emerging as a key contributor to the successful implementation of innovative teaching practices. The study offers practical implications for educational policy, particularly in reinforcing the strategic role of school leadership in advancing learning innovation in alignment with the principles of the Merdeka Curriculum.

 

References

Alzahra, T. A., Irawan, Y. C., Yoesyifa, K. A., & Ramadhani, R. A. (2025). The implementation of democratic leadership style by school principals to enhance teacher performance at SMK Muhammadiyah Majalaya. INNOVATIVE: Journal of Social Science Research, 3(2), 39–50.

Armiyanti, A., Sutrisna, T., Yulianti, L., Lova, N. R., & Komara, E. (2023). Transformational leadership in enhancing the performance of educational services. Educatio Journal FKIP UNMA, 9(2), 1061–1070. https://doi.org/10.31949/educatio.v9i2.5104

Botutihe, P., Masaong, A., & Marhawati, B. (2023). The transformational leadership of school principals in implementing the Merdeka Curriculum in primary schools. INNOVATIVE: Journal of Social Science Research, 3(2), 6424–6436.

Fatahillah, M., Isa, M., & Abbas, N. (2023). The implementation of character education at Ma’had Aly Ki Bagus Hadikusumo. At-Turots: Journal of Islamic Education, 5(3), 194–207.

Lailiyah, S., & Imami, A. S. (2023). Implementing the Merdeka Curriculum in Islamic boarding school institutions to improve educational quality. EDUKASIA: Journal of Education and Learning, 4(2), 2737–2746. https://doi.org/10.62775/edukasia.v4i2.664

Marpaung, R. W. (2024). The role of Merdeka Belajar in enhancing student creativity and innovation in the digital era. Indonesian Research Journal on Education, 4(2), 550–558. https://doi.org/10.31004/irje.v4i2.677

Pribadi, R. A., Hakim, Z. R., Andriana, E., Sekolah, P. G., Sultan, U., Yasa, A. T., Strategi, A., Merdeka, K., & Dasar, S. (2024). Strategy analysis for the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum at the elementary school level: A case study of SDN Karundang. CJPE: Cokroaminoto Journal of Primary Education, 7(x), xx–xx. (Please complete volume/issue/page info)

Ray, S., Das, J., Pande, R., & Nithya, A. (n.d.). Leadership and school management. In Handbook of School Leadership (pp. 195–222). https://doi.org/10.1201/9781032622408-13

Rosa, E., Destian, R., Agustian, A., & Wahyudin, W. (2024). Innovative learning models and strategies in the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum. Journal of Education Research, 5(3), 2608–2617. https://doi.org/10.37985/jer.v5i3.1153

Sari, H. P. (2023). Developing the Merdeka Belajar curriculum in primary schools based on progressivism philosophy. El-Ibtidaiy: Journal of Primary Education, 6(2), 1–11.

Suriansyah, A. (2015). Leadership strategies of school principals, teachers, and parents. Cakrawala Pendidikan, 34, 234–247.

Thana, P. M., & Hanipah, S. (2023). The Merdeka Curriculum: Transforming primary education to address 21st-century challenges. Proceedings of the Elementary Scientific Conference, 4, 281–288. http://prosiding.unipma.ac.id/index.php/KID

Waruwu, M., Pu’at, S. N., Utami, P. R., Yanti, E., & Rusydiana, M. (2025). Quantitative research methods: Concepts, types, stages, and benefits. Journal of Professional Education Science, 10(1), 917–932. https://doi.org/10.29303/jipp.v10i1.3057

Wicaksono, L., & Sulistyowati, C. (2025). The role of school principals’ leadership in the implementation of Merdeka Belajar at TK Negeri Pembina, South Pontianak District. [Journal name missing], [volume and issue missing]. (Please complete this reference)

Windriati, N. M., & Hansen Lutfiartha, N. M. (2016). The role of school principals' leadership in shaping organizational climate and culture: A case study at SDN 04 Tegalsari, Pemalang Regency. Jurnal Pendidikan, 10, 1–23.

Downloads

Published

24-08-2025

How to Cite

Arfiani Yulianti Fiyul. (2025). The Relationship Between School Principals’ Leadership and Learning Innovation in The Implementation of The Merdeka Curriculum. Journal of Innovative and Creativity, 5(2), 11652–11659. https://doi.org/10.31004/joecy.v5i2.2982

Issue

Section

Articles