Character education through philosophical values in traditional Islamic boarding schools

Abstract

Each Pesantren culture has a unique variation in shaping the religious attitudes of students. Given that the cultivation of character is a process, then this can be provided through formal, non-formal, or informal education that is carefully planned and designed. Therefore, traditional Islamic boarding schools can be an alternative educational institution to overcome the moral crisis which has recently become the central issue of the Indonesian nation. These recent studies go beyond previous research by demonstrating how specific philosophical concepts from values impact students’ moral character. This study focuses on a set of philosophical value ideas imparted to students at the Islamic Boarding School of Sumber Pendidikan Mental Agama Allah (SPMAA) in Lamongan, Indonesia. This study used a qualitative research approach. The participants were students in different stages, teachers, structural function, and scholars of SPMAA Islamic boarding school. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation studies. Three rooted values concepts that students internalized and applied in their social life were highly incorporated with learning intention, improving behaviour for the better while studying in an Islamic boarding school, and even after. At the SPMAA Islamic boarding school, students go through several stages. These stages produce different levels of adaptation success for each student. Alumni internalized the three values of Islamic philosophy in their social life as life guidance to achieve success. The findings provide ideas and practical implications as intercultural information to improve learning outcomes and enable students to live meaningful lives.