Study Reveals How International Schools Use Total Quality Management to Improve Education Quality

Jakarta – A recent study has found that the implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) through flagship school programs can help create a sustainable quality culture and improve educational services for students and parents.

The study, conducted by Fajar Agung Pangestu, Feni Yulianti, and Shinta Lestari Oktarini, published in Nusantara: Jurnal Pendidikan Indonesia Volume 5 Number 4 in October 2025, examined the implementation of TQM at Budi Mulia Dua International School through four main programs: student advisory, university preparation program, talent optimizing program, and BMD Award.

Researchers stated that the four programs were designed to provide excellent educational services while continuously improving school quality through student-centered approaches.

Under the student advisory program, homeroom teachers are required to mentor students at least once every month. The mentoring sessions are intended to monitor students’ academic and non-academic development and help address personal or educational challenges faced by students.

According to the study, the program reflects a key TQM principle that positions students and parents as the school’s primary customers. Researchers emphasized that strong communication between teachers, students, and parents plays an important role in improving both academic performance and students’ psychosocial development.

The school also runs a university preparation program, which includes interest and talent assessments, career-sharing sessions, alumni webinars, inspiration classes, and university research activities to help students choose majors and universities that match their abilities and interests.

The study found that the program successfully helped 41 students continue their studies at national and international universities. Researchers described the achievement as evidence of the school’s ability to respond to students’ long-term educational needs.

Another initiative highlighted in the study was the talent optimizing program, which provides mentoring and coaching for high-achieving students. The program is designed to support students in academic and non-academic competitions through guidance from qualified teachers and coaches.

However, researchers noted that the Covid-19 pandemic affected the program’s effectiveness because mentoring activities had to be conducted online and opportunities to participate in competitions became limited. Despite those challenges, the school still managed to record several national-level achievements.

Meanwhile, the BMD Award program provides trophies and certificates to students with outstanding academic performance and achievements in competitions. The study stated that the award system functions as a motivational tool to encourage students to maintain high performance and actively participate in positive activities.

Researchers reported that 10 students received awards based on academic scores and achievements in national and international competitions. The recognition program was described as part of the school’s effort to build a culture of excellence and appreciation for quality performance.

According to the study, TQM implementation in schools does not focus solely on outcomes but also emphasizes processes, stakeholder involvement, continuous improvement, and the development of a systematic organizational culture.

The research concluded that the four flagship programs are interconnected and form part of a continuous quality improvement cycle within the school system. Researchers stated that the implementation of TQM had succeeded in creating a sustainable quality culture through adaptive and student-oriented educational services.

The study also recommended further research comparing TQM implementation across public, private, and international schools to better understand the effectiveness of quality management strategies in improving education systems. 

Source: Pangestu, F. A., Yulianti, F., & Oktarini, S. L. (2025). Cultivating a Quality Culture through Total Quality Management: A Case Study of High School Excellence Programs in Yogyakarta. Nusantara: Jurnal Pendidikan Indonesia, 5(4), 847–860. https://doi.org/10.62491/njpi.2025.v5i4-2