TULUNGAGUNG – Tulungagung Regency will soon fill long-standing leadership gaps in its public schools after Acting Regent Ahmad Baharudin signed appointment decrees for around 140 definitive school principals.
The appointments cover public kindergartens, elementary schools, and junior high schools across the regency. For months, many schools have operated under acting principals. School communities often raised concerns about that situation because it slowed administrative work and limited leadership effectiveness.
Ahmad Baharudin said the local government placed the appointment of definitive school principals among its top priorities. He believes permanent leadership plays a vital role in maintaining stability across the education sector.
“I have already signed the decrees. We only need to complete the next stages of the process,” Baharudin said.
The Tulungagung administration expects the appointments to strengthen school governance. Permanent principals can focus fully on managing educational programs, overseeing administration, and improving services for students and parents.
Baharudin explained that regulations allow him, as acting regent, to approve principal appointments for public kindergartens, elementary schools, and junior high schools.
“I signed the appointments for around 140 people who will become definitive school principals,” he said.
The local government carried out several stages before reaching the final appointment process. Officials reviewed administrative documents and matched every candidate with existing civil service regulations. In addition, the regency government worked closely with the Education Office and the Regional Personnel and Human Resources Development Agency (BKPSDM).
Those institutions evaluated candidates and identified teachers who met the required qualifications. The government also prioritized teachers who already hold certification as prospective school principals.
According to Baharudin, certified candidates possess the skills and leadership competencies needed to manage schools effectively. Therefore, the government wants qualified educators to take on these important positions.
The appointments come after months of uncertainty in many public schools. During that period, acting principals often managed more than one school at the same time. As a result, they faced additional workloads and divided their attention between different institutions.
Education stakeholders have long argued that schools need permanent leaders to make strategic decisions. Definitive principals can develop long-term programs, improve school performance, and respond more quickly to challenges.
Moreover, permanent leadership helps schools maintain consistent policies and stronger accountability. It also allows principals to focus on educational development without the limitations that often accompany temporary assignments.
With the appointment process now moving forward, Tulungagung officials hope schools can operate more efficiently. They also expect stronger leadership to support better learning outcomes and improve the overall quality of education throughout the regency.