Strengthening Character Education in Pesantren based Madrasahs: Curriculum Integration, Role Modeling, Institutional Culture, and Spiritual Mentoring

Abstract

This study aims to examine how character education is strengthened in pesantren based madrasahs through curriculum integration, role modeling, institutional culture, and spiritual mentoring. Employing a qualitative research design with a case study approach, the study was conducted at MTs Al-Khoirot Malang. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, and analyzed thematically. The findings reveal that character education is embedded across the curriculum, where core values religiosity, discipline, responsibility, humility, and honesty are systematically integrated into instructional practices. Teachers function as living curricula by demonstrating consistent moral exemplarity that shapes students’ character development. Furthermore, institutional culture operates as a collective practice through daily routines, pesantren traditions, and habituation that reinforce moral discipline. Spiritual mentoring plays a crucial role in facilitating deep internalization of character values by fostering moral awareness and self-regulation among students. This study contributes an integrated model of character education grounded in pesantren traditions, offering insights for faith-based educational institutions seeking holistic character formation.