Educational Leadership and Cultural Heritage: A Study of Kitab Kuning Preservation at Pesantren Al-Khoirot Malang

Abstract

This study explores the strategic role of educational leadership in preserving the Kitab Kuning (classical Islamic texts) tradition amidst the pressures of modern education at Pesantren Al-Khoirot Malang. Using a qualitative descriptive-analytical case study approach, the research investigates how traditional authority navigates the demands of formal schooling without compromising classical literacy. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation, then analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interactive model. The results reveal that Pesantren Al-Khoirot employs a "Preservative-Adaptive Leadership" model, which strategically positions Kitab Kuning as a non-negotiable core identity through rigorous curriculum engineering and strict time management. This leadership successfully reframes classical texts as a source of intellectual prestige for students rather than an archaic burden. The study concludes that the resilience of traditional scholarship in the digital era depends on "Progressive Conservation"a leadership strategy that synchronizes traditional pedagogy with modern institutional management. This research contributes a new theoretical framework for "Hybridized Leadership" in Islamic education, offering a blueprint for institutional resilience in maintaining cultural and intellectual heritage within a globalized world.