RADAR TULUNGAGUNG – The Tulungagung school principal vacancies have reached 127 as of February 2026, leaving dozens of schools without permanent leaders. The shortage affects kindergartens, elementary schools, and junior high schools across the regency.
According to the Tulungagung Education Office, officials recorded 127 empty principal posts in January 2026. Acting Education Office Head Sukowinarno confirmed the figure and said the agency now prioritizes filling every position this year.
“As of January 2026, we recorded 127 vacant principal positions, from kindergarten to junior high school,” he said.
However, the recruitment effort faces a major hurdle. Only around 11 teachers in Tulungagung currently hold certification as prospective school principals after completing mandatory training.
“In Tulungagung, the number is very small. Only about 11 teachers have passed the required training and obtained certification,” Sukowinarno explained.
As a result, the Education Office must carefully manage the selection process. National regulations require teachers to complete official training before they can serve as principals.
To address the gap, the Education Office has held briefing sessions on the latest Ministry of Education regulation governing principal assignments. The Regent of Tulungagung attended the sessions, alongside representatives from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
Meanwhile, officials continue to consult the ministry about teachers who lack certification. They want clear guidance on whether those teachers can enter the selection process.
“We are communicating directly with the ministry. We are asking how to proceed if a candidate does not yet have certification or has not completed the training,” Sukowinarno said.
Importantly, the Education Office will not appoint principals without a formal process. Instead, it will form a selection committee and conduct several assessment stages before confirming appointments.
“There will be a selection team in line with regulations. Candidates must pass several stages before we officially appoint them,” he said.
This approach aims to ensure fairness and maintain governance standards in school leadership.
A definitive principal plays a central role in school management. Principals lead academic planning, supervise teachers, and oversee administrative operations. Therefore, prolonged vacancies can disrupt decision-making and weaken institutional direction.
For that reason, the Education Office wants to resolve the Tulungagung school principal vacancies within 2026. At the same time, officials remain cautious because regulatory adjustments introduced in 2025 require strict compliance.
Ultimately, local authorities must balance urgency with accountability. They aim to fill all 127 positions this year while maintaining transparency and following national education policy.