Local Wisdom Shapes Better School Climate, Indonesian Study Finds
Bandar Lampung — A new study from researchers in Lampung Province suggests that school leadership alone is not enough to create a positive educational environment. Instead, leadership becomes more effective when combined with local cultural values rooted in the Lampung philosophy of Piil Pesenggiri.
The research, published in WSEAS Transactions on Computer Research in January 2025, involved 208 teachers and principals from 15 districts across Lampung. The study examined the relationship between exemplary leadership, local wisdom, and school climate in Indonesian schools.
Researchers found that exemplary leadership had a strong direct influence on Piil Pesenggiri, a cultural philosophy emphasizing mutual respect, harmony, cooperation, and social responsibility. However, leadership alone showed only a weak direct effect on improving school climate.
Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis, the study revealed that the impact of leadership on school climate became significantly stronger when mediated by local wisdom values. The indirect effect through Piil Pesenggiri reached 0.534, far exceeding the direct leadership effect on school climate.
The authors argued that integrating cultural identity into school leadership practices could help principals build trust, inclusiveness, and stronger relationships among teachers and students. The study highlighted that local wisdom functions as a social bridge that strengthens organizational culture in schools.
“School climate encompasses interpersonal relationships, organizational culture, and shared values,” the researchers wrote, adding that culturally responsive leadership may become increasingly important in diverse educational settings.
The study also reinforced previous findings from Indonesia showing that school principals play a strategic role in shaping teacher work culture, professionalism, and student character development.
Researchers concluded that leadership development programs in Indonesia should not focus solely on managerial skills, but also incorporate local cultural values that resonate with school communities.