TALENT MANAGEMENT AND THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS: A RESEARCH BASED ANALYTICAL STUDY IN WAJO, SOUTH SULAWESI, INDONESIA

Abstract

Principal leadership is widely recognized as a decisive factor in shaping school quality, influencing instructional practices, organizational culture, and long-term school improvement. In Indonesia, however, the professional capacity and career development of primary school principals, particularly in districts such as Wajo, South Sulawesi, remain uneven due to fragmented preparation systems, inconsistent professional development, and promotion mechanisms that privilege seniority over competence. Global education systems increasingly adopt Talent Management (TM) as a strategic framework for identifying, developing, and retaining high‑potential leaders. This article synthesizes Indonesian empirical studies on principal professionalism and compares them with international TM practices documented in high‑impact journals. A quantitative conceptual model is proposed to examine the relationships among TM, principal professional leadership, and career development. The analysis demonstrates that TM can strengthen leadership pipelines, enhance professional competence, and support merit‑based career progression. The article concludes with a research agenda and policy recommendations for implementing TM‑based leadership systems in Indonesian primary schools.