Driving success in tahfiz schools: The mediating role of risk management between leadership and performance

Abstract

For educational institutions to succeed and function well, effective leadership is
crucial. This study investigates how risk management functions as a mediator between
performance and leadership in Tahfiz schools, which focus on memorising the Quran and deal
with difficulties that call for proactive risk management and strong leadership. Using a
quantitative methodology, data was collected through surveys from 186 administrators across
Tahfiz schools in Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Perak, Selangor,
and Johor. The findings reveal that trust in leadership positively influences school performance
(β=0.373, t=3.145, p<0.002, f²=0.161). Additionally, risk management significantly impacts
school performance (β=0.551, t=4.846, p<0.01, f²=0.352). Importantly, risk management also
mediates the relationship between leadership and performance (β=0.485, t=4.861, p<0.01),
indicating that strong risk management practices amplify the benefits of effective leadership.
These results suggest that adopting comprehensive risk management strategies enables Tahfiz
schools to better address financial, operational, and educational challenges, ultimately
improving student outcomes and ensuring sustainability. The study highlights the need to
incorporate risk management training into leadership development programs for Tahfiz
administrators. By aligning effective leadership with robust risk management, these schools
can better navigate uncertainties and work towards their ambitious goal of producing 125,000
professional huffaz by 2050.