Online Scenario-Based Training to Strengthen Principals’ Moral Leadership in School Governance: Multi-Site Evidence from Indonesia

Paul Arjanto; Zummy Anselmus Dami; Alfrina Mewengkang; Prisca Diantra Sampe

doi:10.30828/real.1858244

Online Scenario-Based Training to Strengthen Principals’ Moral Leadership in School Governance: Multi-Site Evidence from Indonesia

Abstract

Integrity risks in Indonesian schools remain high in BOS budgeting, procurement, and transparency, eroding public trust and complicating principals’ decisions. This study designs and evaluates an online scenario-based learning (O-SBL) moral-leadership model focused on school-governance dilemmas involving BOS procedures, vendor relations, conflicts of interest, documentation, and stakeholder disclosure. Using a multi-site quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design, 90 principals completed two core modules followed by four weeks of micro-scenarios. Competence was assessed with a 40-item situational judgment test covering seven integrity and governance domains. Results showed large gains: mean scores increased from 126.24 (SD = 14.01) to 173.52 (SD = 13.79), a 47.28-point (37.45%) improvement; Wilcoxon Z = −8.239, p < .001; 100% of participants improved; effect size r = .87. We conclude that O-SBL, combining authentic cases, structured reflection, and a common feedback rubric, substantially strengthens principals’ moral-leadership competencies across diverse contexts. The model is ready for integration into principal certification and continuing professional development, particularly to enhance BOS transparency, procurement fairness, and stakeholder accountability.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This work was supported by the Direktorat Penelitian dan Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat, Direktorat Jenderal Riset dan Pengembangan, Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi, Sains, dan Teknologi Republik Indonesia (Contract No. 229/UN13.3/PT/2025).

Project Number

229/UN13.3/PT/2025

Ethical Statement

Research Involving Human Participants and/or Animals: This study involved human participants (school principals and related education stakeholders). Ethical approval was obtained from the Badan Kesatuan Bangsa dan Politik (Approval No. 000.9.2/456, 2025). All procedures were conducted in accordance with applicable institutional and national ethical standards for research involving human participants. This article does not contain any studies with animals performed by any of the authors.

Thanks

We gratefully acknowledge the Direktorat Penelitian dan Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat, Direktorat Jenderal Riset dan Pengembangan, Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi, Sains, dan Teknologi Republik Indonesia, for providing financial and administrative support under Contract No. 229/UN13.3/PT/2025. We also thank the participating principals and the local education offices of Kupang, Tomohon, and Ambon for their cooperation and support during the implementation of this study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Leadership in Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Paul Arjanto ^*
0000-0002-8776-0437
Indonesia

Zummy Anselmus Dami
0000-0001-7643-6749
Indonesia

Alfrina Mewengkang
0000-0003-4550-5240
Indonesia

Prisca Diantra Sampe
0000-0002-5842-0855
Indonesia

Publication Date

June 27, 2026

Submission Date

January 8, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 2, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1858244

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA32HC92FU

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Arjanto, P., Dami, Z. A., Mewengkang, A., & Sampe, P. D. (2026). Online Scenario-Based Training to Strengthen Principals’ Moral Leadership in School Governance: Multi-Site Evidence from Indonesia. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership, 11(2), 419-455. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1858244

AMA

1.Arjanto P, Dami ZA, Mewengkang A, Sampe PD. Online Scenario-Based Training to Strengthen Principals’ Moral Leadership in School Governance: Multi-Site Evidence from Indonesia. REAL. 2026;11(2):419-455. doi:10.30828/real.1858244

Chicago

Arjanto, Paul, Zummy Anselmus Dami, Alfrina Mewengkang, and Prisca Diantra Sampe. 2026. “Online Scenario-Based Training to Strengthen Principals’ Moral Leadership in School Governance: Multi-Site Evidence from Indonesia”. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership 11 (2): 419-55. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1858244.

EndNote

Arjanto P, Dami ZA, Mewengkang A, Sampe PD (June 1, 2026) Online Scenario-Based Training to Strengthen Principals’ Moral Leadership in School Governance: Multi-Site Evidence from Indonesia. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership 11 2 419–455.

IEEE

[1]P. Arjanto, Z. A. Dami, A. Mewengkang, and P. D. Sampe, “Online Scenario-Based Training to Strengthen Principals’ Moral Leadership in School Governance: Multi-Site Evidence from Indonesia”, REAL, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 419–455, June 2026, doi: 10.30828/real.1858244.

ISNAD

Arjanto, Paul - Dami, Zummy Anselmus - Mewengkang, Alfrina - Sampe, Prisca Diantra. “Online Scenario-Based Training to Strengthen Principals’ Moral Leadership in School Governance: Multi-Site Evidence from Indonesia”. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership 11/2 (June 1, 2026): 419-455. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1858244.

JAMA

1.Arjanto P, Dami ZA, Mewengkang A, Sampe PD. Online Scenario-Based Training to Strengthen Principals’ Moral Leadership in School Governance: Multi-Site Evidence from Indonesia. REAL. 2026;11:419–455.

MLA

Arjanto, Paul, et al. “Online Scenario-Based Training to Strengthen Principals’ Moral Leadership in School Governance: Multi-Site Evidence from Indonesia”. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership, vol. 11, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 419-55, doi:10.30828/real.1858244.

Vancouver

1.Paul Arjanto, Zummy Anselmus Dami, Alfrina Mewengkang, Prisca Diantra Sampe. Online Scenario-Based Training to Strengthen Principals’ Moral Leadership in School Governance: Multi-Site Evidence from Indonesia. REAL. 2026 Jun. 1;11(2):419-55. doi:10.30828/real.1858244