STRATEGI MANAJEMEN KEPALA MADRASAH DALAM MENINGKATKAN MUTU LAYANAN PENDIDIKAN DI ERA KURIKULUM MERDEKA
Abstract
This study aims to analyze the management strategies implemented by madrasah principals to improve the quality of educational services during the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum. The focus of the study is directed towards how madrasah principals manage resources, lead curriculum changes, and build a culture of quality within the madrasah environment. The method used in this research is library research, with data collection techniques involving a critical review of literature, journal articles, books, and policy documents related to Islamic education management and the Merdeka Curriculum. The results of the study show that the management strategies of madrasah principals to enhance the quality of educational services in the era of the Merdeka Curriculum include strengthening teacher competencies, developing an innovation culture based on Islamic values, optimizing constructive academic supervision, and actively engaging stakeholders. The madrasah principal plays a central role as an agent of change, determining the success of the Merdeka Curriculum implementation in the madrasah. Therefore, continuous efforts are needed to enhance the managerial capacity of madrasah principals through training programs, mentoring, and strengthening professional networks among madrasahs. Madrasah principals need to adopt adaptive, collaborative management strategies based on Islamic visions. Key strategies that successfully improve the quality of educational services include: (1) strengthening teacher competencies through Merdeka Curriculum-based training, (2) developing an innovation culture in project-based learning to strengthen student profiles, (3) optimizing academic supervision, and (4) actively involving all madrasah stakeholders. This study recommends strengthening the leadership capacity of madrasah principals in managing change based on Islamic management principles and national curriculum values
