The Effectiveness of Training and Mentoring Programs in Improving the Competencies of Primary School Principals in Indonesia

Abstract

Principal competencies cover a wide range of skills, knowledge and leadership traits needed to effectively manage a school. Principal competencies need to be developed because effective principals play a crucial role in managing schools and improving their performance. They are not only administrative leaders but also change agents who influence policies, teaching practices and school culture. Therefore, principals need to receive appropriate training and mentoring to help them fulfill their roles more effectively. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of training and mentoring programs in improving principals' competencies. The research was conducted in 12 primary schools spread across 12 provinces in Indonesia with the respondents being school principals. The training and mentoring program in this study is an activity to improve the leadership of school principals by providing training materials and guidance on the obstacles faced by participants in implementing the program. Each training is designed to be practiced in the form of assignments. Furthermore, the monitoring program is an activity to improve teacher leadership by providing classical mentoring material (60 minutes), followed by group mentoring (60 minutes). This program ran for 18 times with an intensity of once a week. Meanwhile, the coaching program was conducted for 6 months during the program implementation. The results showed that the training and mentoring program provided was very effective in developing the potential of elementary school principals and shaping and developing student character.