Enhancing Kindergarten Teachers' Pedagogical Competence through the Academic Qualification Fulfillment Program (PKA): Integrating Institutional Support, Digital Literacy, and Andragogical Learning

Authors

  • Nila Fitria Universitas Al Azhar Indonesia Indonesia Flag Indonesia Author
  • Fidesrinur Universitas Al Azhar Indonesia Indonesia Flag Indonesia Author
  • Zahrina Amelia Universitas Al Azhar Indonesia Indonesia Flag Indonesia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53515/alqodiri.v24i2.230

Keywords:

Academic Qualification, Fulfillment Program, Andragogical Learning, Digital Literacy, Kindergarten Teachers

Abstract

The Academic Qualification Fulfillment Program (PKA) is a strategic initiative designed to upgrade the academic qualifications of kindergarten teachers while strengthening their professional competence. However, empirical evidence explaining how institutional support, digital literacy, and andragogical learning collectively contribute to pedagogical competence remains limited. This study examined how the PKA enhances kindergarten teachers' pedagogical competence by integrating these three dimensions within a unified analytical framework. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 140 kindergarten teachers through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The quantitative findings were subsequently elaborated through semi-structured interviews with 20 teachers and focus group discussions involving LPTK lecturers and program administrators, with qualitative data analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings demonstrate that the PKA substantially improves teachers' pedagogical competence through the complementary interaction of institutional support, digital literacy, and andragogical learning. Academic mentoring provided by LPTK strengthened instructional capability, while digital literacy facilitated continuous professional learning and the application of innovative teaching practices. Learning activities grounded in andragogical principles further promoted reflective, self-directed, and experience-based professional development. The study contributes to teacher professional development literature by integrating institutional, technological, and adult-learning perspectives into a comprehensive model of pedagogical competence enhancement. These findings provide practical guidance for policymakers and teacher education institutions seeking to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of teacher qualification programs.

References

Agbale, B., & Edusei-Mensah, W. (2025). Empowering Ghanaian teachers: Unlocking digital skills and classroom innovation through professional learning communities. International Journal of Education and Development Using Information and Communication Technology, 21(3), 116–133.

Akiba, M., Byun, S., Jiang, X., Kim, K., & Moran, A. J. (2023). Do teachers feel valued in society? Occupational value of the teaching profession in OECD countries. AERA Open, 9, 23328584231179184. https://doi.org/10.1177/23328584231179184

Asregid, D. (2025). Practicum supervisors' structured feedback and pre-service teachers' engagement in reflective practice. Reflective Practice, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2025.2607126

Bedel, E. F., İnce, S., & Başalev Acar, S. (2024). Voices from the field: Integrating e-portfolios in early childhood education. Education and Information Technologies, 29(14), 18181–18201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-12563-9

Bergmark, U. (2023). Teachers' professional learning when building a research-based education: Context-specific, collaborative, and teacher-driven professional development. Professional Development in Education, 49(2), 210–224. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2020.1827011

Bowling, J., & Henschke, J. A. (2020). Pedagogy and andragogy: Intersection for learning. In T. E. Sork (Ed.), The handbook of adult and continuing education (pp. xx–xx). Routledge.

Caena, F., & Vuorikari, R. (2022). Teacher learning and innovative professional development through the lens of the personal, social and learning to learn European key competence. European Journal of Teacher Education, 45(4), 456–475. https://doi.org/10.1080/02619768.2021.1951699

Colomer, J., Serra, T., Gras, M. E., & Cañabate, D. (2021). Longitudinal self-directed competence development of university students through self-reflection. Reflective Practice, 22(5), 727–740. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2021.1964947

Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Darling-Hammond, L., Schachner, A. C. W., Wojcikiewicz, S. K., & Flook, L. (2024). Educating teachers to enact the science of learning and development. Applied Developmental Science, 28(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2022.2130506

Desimone, L. M. (2009). Improving impact studies of teachers' professional development: Toward better conceptualizations and measures. Educational Researcher, 38(3), 181–199. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X08331140

Deva, M., Wright, S. T., & Beck Dallaghan, G. L. (2025). Exploring the role of cognitive capacity and adaptive learning in professional education: A scoping review. Medical Science Educator, 35(2), 1123–1136. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-024-02271-x

Fahimah, N. (2026). An e-training model for improving early childhood teacher competence in Purwakarta, Karawang, Subang, and Bekasi. International Journal of Nusantara Islam, 14(1), 549–564.

Ferrari, A. (2012). Digital competence in practice: An analysis of frameworks. European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Prospective Technological Studies.

Fogelberg, K. (2023). Andragogy. In Educational principles and practice in veterinary medicine (pp. 133–144). John Wiley & Sons. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119852865.ch4

Gorla, L., Rothenberg, A. W., Lansford, J. E., & Aref, A. (2026). Supporting families through policies: Effective and recommended policies for communication technology, digital interventions, and remote work. Journal of Family Issues, 47(2), 224–246. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X251370682

Huang, R., Siraj, I., & Melhuish, E. (2024). Promoting effective teaching and learning through a professional development program: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Educational Psychology, 116(8), 1352–1367. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000851

Hussain, S., Debreli, E., & Farman, M. (2025). Sustainable professional growth through digital mentorship: Evidence from language teachers in low-resource settings. Scientific Reports, 16(1), Article 16. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-29242-5

Irshad, M. (2025). Beyond formal training: An account of informal, self-directed professional development. Australian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 8(4), Article 103119. https://doi.org/10.29140/ajal.v8n4.103119

Kim, J., Leftwich, A., & Castner, D. (2024). Beyond teaching computational thinking: Exploring kindergarten teachers' computational thinking and computer science curriculum design considerations. Education and Information Technologies, 29(12), 15191–15227. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-12406-z

Knowles, M. S. (1984). The adult learner: A neglected species (3rd ed.). Gulf Publishing.

Larsen, N., Pyle, A., Danniels, E., Marzouca, M., & Nazeem, R. (2025). Kindergarten teachers' facilitation of social and emotional learning in classroom play contexts. Education Inquiry, 16(2), 195–216. https://doi.org/10.1080/20004508.2023.2192900

Lauermann, F., & ten Hagen, I. (2021). Do teachers' perceived teaching competence and self-efficacy affect students' academic outcomes? A closer look at student-reported classroom processes and outcomes. Educational Psychologist, 56(4), 265–282. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2021.1991355

Liu, S.-M., Huang, Y.-C., & Wang, R.-J. (2024). Challenges and professional support for principals at rural schools for sustainable development. Sustainability, 16(21), Article 9251. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219251

López-Martín, E., Gutiérrez-de-Rozas, B., González-Benito, A. M., & Expósito-Casas, E. (2023). Why do teachers matter? A meta-analytic review of how teacher characteristics and competencies affect students' academic achievement. International Journal of Educational Research, 120, Article 102199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2023.102199

McChesney, K., & Aldridge, J. M. (2021). What gets in the way? A new conceptual model for the trajectory from teacher professional development to impact. Professional Development in Education, 47(5), 834–852. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2019.1667412

Mohiyeddini, C. (2024). Self-directed teaching: A holistic framework for educator autonomy. Frontiers in Medicine, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1479885

Moreira, M. A., Arcas, B. R., Sanchez, T. G., Garcia, R. B., & Melero, M. J. R. (2023). Teachers' pedagogical competences in higher education: A systematic literature review. Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 20(1), 90–123.

Rahimi, R. A., & Oh, G. S. (2024). Rethinking the role of educators in the 21st century: Navigating globalization, technology, and pandemics. Journal of Marketing Analytics, 12(2), 182–197. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41270-024-00303-4

Rahman, A. (2021). High participation, low impact: The challenge for teacher professional development in Indonesia. International Journal of Pedagogy and Teacher Education, 5(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.20961/ijpte.v5i1.46636

Resch, K., & Schrittesser, I. (2023). Using the service-learning approach to bridge the gap between theory and practice in teacher education. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 27(10), 1118–1132. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2021.1882053

Shulman, L. S. (1987). Knowledge and teaching: Foundations of the new reform. Harvard Educational Review, 57(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.57.1.j463w79r56455411

Singun, A., Jr. (2025). Unveiling the barriers to digital transformation in higher education institutions: A systematic literature review. Discover Education, 4(1), Article 37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00430-9

Sinsay-Villanueva, L. M. V., Garcia, G. D. V., Lim, V. L., Tanyag, I. H., Berroya, J., Orbeta, A. C., & Rivera, J. P. R. (2025). Quality education starting with teacher education (PIDS Discussion Paper Series No. 2025-04). Philippine Institute for Development Studies. https://doi.org/10.62986/dp2025.04

Sliwka, A., Klopsch, B., Beigel, J., & Tung, L. (2023). Transformational leadership for deeper learning: Shaping innovative school practices for enhanced learning. Journal of Educational Administration, 62(1), 103–121. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-03-2023-0049

Strielkowski, W., Grebennikova, V., Lisovskiy, A., Rakhimova, G., & Vasileva, T. (2025). AI-driven adaptive learning for sustainable educational transformation. Sustainable Development, 33(2), 1921–1947. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3221

Tachie, S. A. (2026). Play as pedagogy in adult education: A framework for metacognition and self-directed learning. In Proceedings of EdMedia + Innovate Learning 2026 (pp. 1438–1448). Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.

Tammets, K., & Ley, T. (2023). Integrating AI tools in teacher professional learning: A conceptual model and illustrative case. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/frai.2023.1255089

Tatto, M. T. (2021). Developing teachers' research capacity: The essential role of teacher education. Teaching Education, 32(1), 27–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/10476210.2020.1860000

Temirkhanova, M., Abildinova, G., & Karaca, C. (2024). Enhancing digital literacy skills among teachers for effective integration of computer science and design education: A case study at Astana International School, Kazakhstan. Frontiers in Education, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1408512

Thyssen, C., Huwer, J., Irion, T., & Schaal, S. (2023). From TPACK to DPACK: The digitality-related pedagogical and content knowledge model in STEM education. Education Sciences, 13(8), Article 769. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13080769

Vadivel, B., Namaziandost, E., & Saeedian, A. (2021). Progress in English language teaching through continuous professional development: Teachers' self-awareness, perception, and feedback. Frontiers in Education, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.757285

Wang, L., Sitthiworachart, J., & Morris, J. (2025). Enhancing problem-solving and autonomous learning in mature students through tech-blended PBL. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 44(6), 744–764. https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370.2025.2505430

Xi, J., & Lantolf, J. P. (2021). Scaffolding and the zone of proximal development: A problematic relationship. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 51(1), 25–48. https://doi.org/10.1111/jtsb.12260

Xu, J., & Xie, Y. (2025). Investigating social media-driven technology-enhanced learning for teachers' continuing professional development: A systematic mapping review. Professional Development in Education, 1–33. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2025.2513539

Zhai, X. (2024). Transforming teachers' roles and agencies in the era of generative AI: Perceptions, acceptance, knowledge, and practices. Journal of Science Education and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-024-10174-0

Zickafoose, A., Ilesanmi, O., Diaz-Manrique, M., Adeyemi, A. E., Walumbe, B., Strong, R., Wingenbach, G., Rodriguez, M. T., & Dooley, K. (2024). Barriers and challenges affecting quality education (Sustainable Development Goal 4) in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. Sustainability, 16(7), Article 2657. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072657

Downloads

Published

2026-07-30