TULUNGAGUNG – Tulungagung has accelerated school principal appointments this week as only 18 candidates currently hold the required certification for permanent principal positions.

The local Education Office is now working to finalize 139 principal positions across schools in the regency. Officials moved quickly after Acting Regent Ahmad Baharudin ordered the process to finish as soon as possible.

Acting Head of the Education Office Deni Susanti said her team continues to coordinate closely with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen).

The coordination aims to ensure every step follows national regulations. Officials want to avoid mistakes in administrative procedures and appointment mechanisms.

“We continue to coordinate with Kemendikdasmen regarding this principal appointment process. We need to understand what requirements must be completed and how the mechanism works,” Deni said on Sunday, April 26.

She explained that appointing school principals is not only about filling empty positions. The process also requires strict compliance with administrative rules and competency standards.

One of the biggest challenges is the limited number of certified principal candidates. Without certification, candidates cannot immediately fill permanent leadership positions.

Deni revealed that Tulungagung currently has only 18 certified candidates. The number remains far below the total demand of 139 principal positions.

Of the 18 certified candidates, 15 are for elementary schools and three are for junior high schools.

“Only 18 candidates have principal certification so far. Most likely, they are the ones we can immediately appoint as permanent principals,” she said.

Because of this situation, the Education Office must prepare a careful placement strategy. Officials also need to consider further steps for candidates who have not yet completed certification.

The office wants to ensure that school operations continue smoothly without violating national regulations. At the same time, schools still need stable leadership to support learning quality and administration.

Previously, Acting Regent Ahmad Baharudin said he wanted permanent principal positions filled by next week. That target officially starts from Monday, April 27.

The local government hopes the acceleration will end long-standing vacancies and reduce dependence on acting principals, or Plt principals, in many schools.

Officials believe permanent school leadership will improve not only administrative performance but also the quality of teaching and learning in classrooms.

For many schools in Tulungagung, the appointment of permanent principals has become an urgent issue because leadership stability directly affects education management and student development.

The regency administration now expects faster approval from the ministry so the process can move forward without further delays.