The Role of Leadership in Improving Educator Performance at Subulussalam Islamic Boarding School Tulungagung

Abstract

Education quality in Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) is strongly influenced by the leadership of the caregiver (kiai), particularly in shaping educator performance. Previous studies have largely examined leadership in formal school settings or discussed pesantren leadership in general terms, without explicitly explaining how leadership, innovation, and supervision are operationalized simultaneously in improving educator performance. This study addresses this research gap by exploring how a pesantren caregiver enacts these three roles in an integrated manner at Subulussalam Islamic Boarding School, Tulungagung. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation. The findings show that the caregiver performs a strategic leadership role by motivating educators and strengthening discipline, an innovation role by introducing technology-based learning and professional development, and a supervisory role through systematic evaluation supported by reward and sanction mechanisms. These findings contribute new empirical insight into the multidimensional leadership model of pesantren caregivers and demonstrate how spiritual authority can be transformed into effective educational management to enhance educator performance.