School Management Innovation for Equal Distribution of Education in Islands: Implications for Biology Education

This study analyzes the effectiveness of School Management Innovation (SMI) in achieving equitable quality of Biology education in challenging island regions.As an archipelagic nation, Indonesia faces significant educational disparities due to geographical constraints, limited infrastructure (such as laboratory facilities), and uneven teacher distribution.Employing a qualitative case study approach at three Senior High Schools (SMAN 12 Ambon, SMAN 50 Maluku Tengah, and SMAN 4 Ambon) , this research identified two primary, successful innovation models: digital-based management and natural environment utilization.The findings demonstrate that adaptive SMI allows schools to overcome traditional barriers through a leapfrogging strategy.First, schools redefined the concept of a "Laboratory" by shifting the focus from expensive, corrosion-prone physical spaces to Virtual Labs and the Natural Environment (mangrove and coastal ecosystems).Second, managerial flexibility, particularly in budget reallocation, proved critical.For instance, the strategic rerouting of funds from physical lab equipment to digital facilities reduced costs and provided more functional, context-appropriate tools (magnifying glasses, snorkeling gear) for coastal research.This contextual management approach increased student interest and improved practical learning outcomes (average score rose from 65 to 82).The study concludes that equitable education relies not merely on material procurement, but on transforming school management into a flexible, locally-oriented, and adaptive paradigm.