The Influence of Principals' Leadership on Teachers' Work Loyalty in Public Vocational High Schools in Padang Timur District

Pengaruh Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah terhadap Loyalitas Kerja Guru di Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan Negeri Kecamatan Padang Timur

Abstract

This study was motivated by the relatively low level of work loyalty among some teachers at public vocational high schools (SMK Negeri) in Padang Timur District. The objectives of this study were to: (1) describe teachers' work loyalty, (2) describe principals' leadership, and (3) analyze the influence of principals' leadership on teachers' work loyalty at public vocational high schools in Padang Timur District. This study employed a quantitative method with a correlational research design. The population consisted of all teachers at public vocational high schools in Padang Timur District, totaling 166 teachers. A sample of 119 teachers was selected using the proportional stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected through a Likert-scale questionnaire that had been tested for validity and reliability. The data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics, prerequisite tests, and hypothesis testing. The results showed that principals' leadership obtained a mean score of 4.46 with a Respondent Achievement Level (TCR) of 89.3%, which was categorized as good. Meanwhile, teachers' work loyalty obtained a mean score of 4.14 with a TCR of 82.8%, also categorized as good. The hypothesis testing indicated that principals' leadership had a positive and significant effect on teachers' work loyalty, with a calculated t-value of 7.858, which was greater than the critical t-value of 1.980, and a significance value of 0.001, which was lower than 0.05. The coefficient of determination (R²) was 34.5%, indicating that principals' leadership contributed 34.5% to teachers' work loyalty. Therefore, the better the principals' leadership, the higher the level of teachers' work loyalty at public vocational high schools in Padang Timur District.