Character Education in Indonesia: Do Integrated Islamic Schools Outperform Public Schools?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.2.251.271Keywords:
character education, integrated islamic schools, public schools, implementation, IndonesiaAbstract
Aim. Many parents in Indonesia currently believe that character education in Integrated Islamic Schools is superior to that in public schools. To support this belief, it is necessary to analyse students' character and compare the implementation of character education in these schools.
Methods. This study used an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach and involved 1,024 students. In the study, the quantitative stage used the survey method, and the qualitative stage used the narrative method. The research analysed the character of discipline, creativity, independence, and caring. Questionnaires in character scales collected from the participants were analysed using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) statistics. Document studies and interviews with vice principals were conducted to gain insight into implementing the character education programme at the school. The data obtained from this study were then analysed and integrated for further interpretation.
Results. The study results showed a significant difference in the character values of discipline, creativity, and caring between public and Integrated Islamic school students. However, the independence value was higher in Integrated Islamic school students than in public school students. The difference occurs because the programmes that support character independence in integrated Islamic schools are more varied. The implementation of character education in public schools prioritises discipline, making students excel in this trait, even though the results of this study show only a minimal difference.
Conclusion. This study implies that parents who want their children to be more independent should go to Integrated Islamic schools, while to strengthen the character of discipline, parents can send their children to public schools. It is important to note that this study only focuses on character values: discipline, independence, creativity, and caring.
Downloads
References
Alifiah, N. H., & Roesminingsih, E. (2018). Pengaruh Manajemen humas dan citra sekolah terhadap minat orang tua di sub rayon 34 Surabaya [The influence of public relations management and school image on parent interest in Surabaya sub rayon 34 Surabaya]. Manajemen Pendidikan, 1(1), 1–8. https://jurnalmahasiswa.unesa.ac.id/index.php/inspirasi-manajemen-pendidikan/article/view/25005
Allam, D. (2021). Explaining the persistence of "decentralisation" of education in Egypt. International Journal of Educational Development, 82, Article 102357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2021.102357
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
Devi, S. K., Ismanto, B., & Kristin, F. (2019). Peningkatan kemandirian dan hasil belajar tematik melalui Project Based Learning [Improving independence and thematic learning outcomes through Project Based Learning]. Jurnal Riset Teknologi Dan Inovasi Pendidikan, 2(1), 55–65. https://journal.rekarta.co.id/index.php/jartika/article/view/267
Eck., S. (2024). Das Wissen über den besonderen Charakter religiösen Wissens Das Wissen über den besonderen Charakter religiösen Wissens. Österr Religionspädagogisches Forum (ORF), 32(2), 28–42. https://doi.org/10.25364/10.32:2024.2.3
Fahroji, O. (2020). Implementasi pendidikan karakter (Penelitian di SMP Islam Al-Azhar 11 Kota Serang dan SMP Islam Terpadu Raudhatul Jannah Kota Cilegon) [Implementation of character education (study at Islamic middle school of Al-Azhar 11 Serang City and Raudhatul Jannah Integrated Islamic School, Cilegon)]. Jurnal Qathruna, 7(1), 61–82. https://doi.org/10.32678/qathruna.v7i1.3030
Fiala, A. (2024). Critical character education: Whose character? Which virtues? Interchange, 55, 159–179. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10780-024-09510-5
Hanim, W., & Marjo, H. K. (2024). Students’ moral apprehension: Implementation of character education in the university curriculum. The International Journal of Learning in Higher Education, 32(1), 21–37. https://doi.org/10.18848/2327-7955/CGP/v32i01/21-37
Hermanto, Japar, M., Riyadi, Sumantri, M. S., & P, H. R. P. (2024). Analysis of character education values: School-based character in Indonesia. Educational Administration: Theory and Practice, 30(1), 334–347. https://doi.org/10.52152/kuey.v30i1.665
Hildani, T., & Safitri, I. (2021). Implementation of JSIT curriculum-based mathematics learning in forming students' character. Daya Matematis: Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan Matematika, 9(1), 66–70. https://doi.org/10.26858/jdm.v9i1.19374
Jayadi, K., Abduh, A., & Basri, M. (2022). A meta-analysis of multicultural education paradigm in Indonesia. Heliyon, 8(1), Article e08828. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08828
Ji, P., Dubois, D. L., & Flay, B. R. (2021). Review Social-emotional and character development scale: Validation with urban middle school students. Children and Youth Services, 127, Article 106124. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106124
Johnson, R. A., & Wichern, D. W. (2022). Applied multivariate statistical analysis (5th edition). Prentice Hall.
Kameshwara, K. K., Sandoval-Hernandez, A., Shields, R., & Dhanda, K. R. (2020). A false promise? Decentralization in education systems across the globe. International Journal of Educational Research, 104(August), Article 101669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2020.101669
Kleinbaum, D. G., Kupper, L. L., & Rosenberg, E. S. (2014). Applied regression analysis and other multivariable methods (5th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Kristjánsson, K., Harrison, T., & Peterson, A. (2024). Reconsidering the ‘Ten Myths’ about character education. British Journal of Educational Studies, 73(1), 49–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071005.2024.2378059
Laksana, D. S. (2015). Urgensi pendidikan karakter bangsa di sekolah [The urgency of national character education in schools]. Muaddib: Studi Kependidikan dan Keislaman, 05(01), 167–184. https://journal.umpo.ac.id/index.php/muaddib/article/view/19
Lickona, T. (2012). Mendidik untuk membentuk karakter: Bagaimana sekolah dapat memberikan pendidikan tentang sikap hormat dan tanggung jawab [Educating for character: How our schools can teach respect and responsibility] (J. A. Wamaungo, Trans). Bumi Aksara. (Original work published 1991)
Lidyasari, A. T. (2014). Developing PGSD student's character through experience learning theory. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 123, 189–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.1414
Maduretno, T., & Andrini, V. (2018). Implementasi pendidikan karakter pada Model Project Based Learning melalui sumber belajar Smartphone [Implementation of character education on Project Based Learning Model through Smartphone]. Jurnal Dharma Pendidikan, 13(1), 96–104. https://doi.org/10.69866/dp.v13i1.86
Martins, J., Moreira, T., Cunha, J., Nunez, J. C., & Rosario, P. (2024). Be SMART: Promoting goal setting with at-risk students of early school leaving through a mentoring program. Children and Youth Services Review, 157, Article 107423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107423
McKim, C. A. (2017). The value of mixed methods research: A mixed methods study. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 11(2), 202–222.
Melo-Becerra, L. A., Hahn-De-Castro, L. W., Ariza, D. S., & Oswaldo, C. (2020). Efficiency of local public education in a decentralized context. International Journal of Educational Development, 76, Article 102194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2020.102194
Migiro, S. O., & Magangi, B. A. (2011). Mixed methods: A review of the literature and the future of the new research paradigm. African Journal of Business Management, 5(10), 3757–3764. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBM09.082
Morse, J. M. (2003). Handbook of mixed methods in social & behavioral research. SAGE Publications, Inc.
Nasution, M., Safitri, I., & Harahap, R. D. (2023). Character education of tolerance and love for the homeland in the independent study curriculum in junior high schools. Jurnal Pedagogi Dan Pembelajaran, 6(1), 82–88. https://doi.org/10.23887/jp2.v6i1.57832
Niccoli, A., Piantoni, M., & Ricci, E. (2024). Virtue monism. Some advantages for character education. Topoi, 43, 1043–1051. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11245-024-10041-y
Packham, R., Taplin, M., & Francis, K. (Eds.). (2024). How values education can improve student and teacher wellbeing: A simple guide to the ‘education in human values’ approach (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003478607
Rezekiah, P. T., Safitri, I., & Harahap, R. D. (2022). Analisis nilai-nilai karakter mahasiswa program studi pendidikan matematika [Analysis of character values of mathematics education study program students]. Jurnal Cendekia: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 6(2), 1251–1267. https://doi.org/10.31004/cendekia.v6i2.1325
Rojii, M., Istikomah, I., Aulina, C. N., & Fauji, I. (2019). Design of integrated Islamic school curriculum (case study at Insan Kamil Middle School, Sidoarjo). Al-Tanzim : Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 3(2), 49–60. https://doi.org/10.33650/al-tanzim.v3i2.667
Rokhman, F., Hum, M., Syaifudin, A., & Yuliati. (2014). Character education for golden generation 2045 (national character building for Indonesian Golden Years). Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 141, 1161–1165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.05.197
Rustandi, F., Ismawati, N., & Gozali. (2023). Peluang dan tantangan pengelolaan sekolah Islam terpadu : Perspektif total quality management [Opportunities and challenges of integrated Islamic school management: A total quality management perspective]. JEMSI: Jurnal Ekonomi, Manajemen, Dan Akuntansi, 9(5), 2219–2227. https://doi.org/10.35870/jemsi.v9i5.1587
Safitri, I., Ansyari, R., Jonathan, F., & Winata. (2022). Peran Kurikulum 2013 dalam membentuk karakter siswa (fokus studi di SMP kabupaten Labuhanbatu) [The Role of Curriculum 2013 in students’ character building (study at middle schools in Labuhanbatu)]. PT. Mega Press Nusantara.
Safitri, I., Muti’ah, R., & Sriono. (2022). Nilai-nilai karakter pada siswa SMP (studi di Kabupaten Labuhanbatu) [Character values on middle school students (study at Labuhanbatu Regency)]. PT. Mega Press Nusantara.
Safitri, I., Muti’ah, R., Sriono, & Ansyari, R. (2023). Identification of character values of public and private junior high school students in Rantau Selatan District. The IAFOR International Conference on Education, 717–727. https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2189-1036.2023.59
Salahudin, A., & Alkrienciehie, I. (2013). Pendidikan karakter (pendidikan berbasis agama dan budaya bangsa) [Character education (education based on religion and national culture)] (H. Mahmud, Ed.). Pustaka Setia.
Samani, M., & Hariyanto. (2013). Konsep dan model pendidikan karakter [Concept and model: Character education]. PT. Remaja Rosdakarya.
Seber, G. A. (1984). Multivariate observations. John Wiley and Sons.
Seijts, G., & Milani, K. Y. (2023). The character imperative: Creating a more just, prosperous, and sustainable future. Organizational Dynamics, 53(3), Article 101012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orgdyn.2023.101012
Soeharto, S., Singh, S. S., & Afriyanti, F. (2024). Associations between attitudes toward inclusive education and teaching for creativity for Indonesian pre-service teachers. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 51, Article 101469. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2024.101469
Sugiarti, R., Erlangga, E., Suhariadi, F., Virgonita, M., Winta, I., & Pribadi, A. S. (2022). The influence of parenting on building character in adolescents, 5(8), Article e09349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09349
Supriyanta, S. (2018). Desentralisasi pendidikan di era otonomi daerah [Decentralization of education in the era of regional autonomy]. Cakrawala, 2(1), 50–68. https://doi.org/10.32781/cakrawala.v2i1.85
Tennyson, T. T., & Schwarze, M. (2023). An honest man?: Rousseau’s critique of Locke’s character education. European Journal of Political Theory, 23(4), 435–456. https://doi.org/10.1177/14748851231153567
Timmermans, A. C., & Rubie-Davies, C. M. (2019). The interpersonal character of teacher expectations: The perceived teacher-student relationship as an antecedent of teachers’ track. Journal of School Psychology, 73, 114–130.
Wasehudin, W., Wajdi, M. B. N., Silahuddin, S., Syafei, I., Sirojudin, R., Bahtiar, M., & Hasanah, U. (2024). The paradigm of character education in Islamic elementary school. Jurnal Ilmiah Islam Futura, 24(2), 368-397. https://doi.org/10.22373/jiif.v24i2.22546
Yaacob, N. A., Osman, M. M., & Bachok, S. (2015). An assessment of factors influencing parents' decision making when choosing a private school for their children: A case study of Selangor, Malaysia: For sustainable human capital. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 28, 406–417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2015.07.050
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Islamiani Safitri, Erna Andriyanti, Rizli Ansyari, Risma Delima Harahap, Laili Habibah Pasaribu, Rofiqoh Hasan Harahap, Muhammad Istiqlal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
CC-BY
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. All authors agree for publishing their email adresses, affiliations and short bio statements with their articles during the submission process.
