The Contribution of Individual Characteristics of Managers to the Success of Equivalency Education Programs of the Community Learning Center in Indonesia

Abstract

The community learning center provides a means of completing compulsory education and increasing the level of educational participation in Indonesia. Through this program, regardless of age, people can continue their education to a level equivalent to junior or senior high school. However, factors that contribute to the success of the program are still in question. This study aimed to determine the contribution of individual characteristics, including work experience, work perception, work motivation, and work discipline, to the success of the equivalency education program at the community learning center. This research was conducted in East Java using a quantitative approach and an explanatory research design. The research sample was taken from 101 program managers through random sampling techniques and the Slovin formula. The data were collected using a questionnaire and then analyzed using multiple regression techniques. The results showed that the education program had high success, with the participants achieving examination pass rates of 96.4% in package B, which is equivalent to junior high school, and 98.2% in package C, which is equivalent to senior high school. The average involvement of community members in the program implementation was 68.6%, and the financial support reached 75.5%. The work experience, work perception, work motivation, and work discipline of the program managers had a significant effect, both simultaneously and partially, on the success of the equivalency education program. In addition, the four independent variables also had a significant predictive effect on the dependent variable, with a simultaneous contribution of 53.8%. Based on these findings, it was recommended that these factors be considered to improve the success, sustainability, and development of education programs at the community learning center.