Leadership Strategies of the Head of the Islamic Boarding School in Shaping the Character of Students: A Case Study at the Salafiyah Darul Abror Islamic Boarding School in Sorong Regency

Mutmainna; Hartinah; Mohammad Maskur; Muh. Rusdi Rasyid; Fatma Sari

doi:10.56741/IISTR.pbpsp.002158

Authors

Mutmainna
mutmainnahamir694@gmail.com
State Islamic Institute of Sorong
Hartinah State Islamic University Sorong https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4972-7345
Mohammad Maskur State Islamic Institute of Sorong
Muh. Rusdi Rasyid State Islamic Institute of Sorong
Fatma Sari State Islamic Institute of Sorong

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56741/IISTR.pbpsp.002158

Keywords:

Adaptive Leadership, Boarding School, Students’ Character, Sustainable Development

Abstract

The phenomenon of shifting moral values among adolescents in the digital age demands a strategic role for Islamic boarding schools in character building, particularly in heterogeneous regions such as Sorong Regency, which faces specific sociocultural challenges. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach with data collection techniques including participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and documentary analysis at the Darul Abror Islamic Boarding School. Key findings indicate that the boarding school director’s leadership strategy is implemented through the “asah-asih-asuh” approach, which integrates direct role modeling, persuasive personal guidance, and the enforcement of humane discipline. The contribution of this study lies in strengthening a contextual model of Islamic educational leadership for regions with high levels of diversity in Eastern Indonesia. The implications of this strategy are the creation of a boarding school ecosystem conducive to the internalization of the values of independence and religiosity among students through the figure of the leader as a surrogate parent. A brief discussion in this study highlights that the effectiveness of character building is highly dependent on the balance between managerial authority and the emotional closeness of the kiai. The study’s conclusion affirms that adaptive leadership grounded in nurturing, caring, and guiding principles can bridge the differences in students’ family backgrounds to foster outstanding character. As a recommendation, pesantren leaders should enhance the pedagogical competencies of dormitory supervisors and strengthen collaboration with parents to ensure the consistent and sustainable development of students’ character.

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Author Biographies

Mutmainna, State Islamic Institute of Sorong

is an undergraduate student in the Islamic Education Management Study Program at the Faculty of Tarbiyah, State Islamic Institute of Sorong. She enrolled in 2022 and is actively engaged in academic activities related to Islamic education and educational management. Her interests include character education, pesantren studies, and educational leadership in Islamic institutions. She is committed to developing her academic competence and contributing to educational improvement in Indonesia. (email: mutmainnahamir694@gmail.com).

Hartinah, State Islamic University Sorong

serves as the Coordinator of the Islamic Education Management Study Program at the State Islamic Institute of Sorong. She contributes to curriculum development, quality assurance, and institutional governance within higher Islamic education. Her research focuses on integrating spiritual values to strengthen a culture of quality in madrasahs and Islamic educational institutions. She has published several academic works in the field of Islamic educational management and leadership. (email: hartinah@iainsorong.ac.id).

Mohammad Maskur, State Islamic Institute of Sorong

is a lecturer in the Department of Islamic Education Management, Faculty of Tarbiyah, at State Islamic Institute of Sorong. His academic interests focus on educational supervision, instructional leadership, and the improvement of educational quality in Islamic institutions. He actively participates in teaching, research, and community service activities related to Islamic education management and supervision practices. (email: maskuryusuf250570@gmail.com).

Muh. Rusdi Rasyid, State Islamic Institute of Sorong

is a lecturer at State Islamic Institute of Sorong and currently serves as Vice Rector II of the institution. He is actively involved in academic administration, institutional development, and higher education management. His academic interests include Islamic education, educational leadership, and policy development in Islamic higher education institutions. Through his professional and academic contributions, he supports the advancement of educational quality and institutional governance. (email: rusdipasca@gmail.com).

Fatma Sari, State Islamic Institute of Sorong

is a lecturer in the Faculty of Tarbiyah at the State Islamic Institute of Sorong and serves as the First Dean within the faculty. Her research focuses on education, particularly in the areas of Islamic education, teaching development, and educational management. She actively contributes to academic development through teaching, research, and community engagement activities aimed at improving the quality of education. (email: fatmaassidiq@gmail.com).

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