Investigating leadership attributes and strategies during times of crisis and educational change: A story of public primary school principals in Lombok, Indonesia

This research aims to investigate the attributes of school principals and how the principals of public primary schools in rural areas in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, demonstrated effective leadership strategies at their respective schools during times of crisis and educational change. This study is based on the stories of school principals’ encounters with challenges during a crisis situation and educational change. The research used a qualitative methodology, namely narrative inquiry, involving four principals from public primary schools in Pringgarata District, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Data were gathered via semi-structured and in-depth interviews with the participants, conducted either online or in person. The interview data were transcribed manually and then evaluated thematically through a six-step approach. The study found that the school principals attributes are seizing opportunity to learn, openness, collaboration, and inclusivity; driving innovation; meanwhile, the effective strategies that were demonstrated are intra-school and inter-school leadership strategies. The intra-school strategy includes promoting sustainability, maintaining an efficient educational model for the students, employing a home visit program, and distributing leadership responsibilities among school members. The inter-school strategy involves sharing experiences and resources with others, adapting indigenous perspectives, facilitating connections, and establishing strategic partnerships with the local community.