Islamic Boarding Schools: The Pillars of Character Education in the Modern Era
By Dr. Abdul Wadud Nafis, LC., MEI Islamic boarding schools, or pondok pesantren, as traditional educational institutions in Indonesia, continue to play a vital role in shaping the character and morals of younger generations, even as modern educational approaches evolve. Rooted in Islamic teachings, pesantren are not only focused on imparting religious knowledge but also on instilling moral values, ethics, and discipline that shape the personality of students (santri). In a structured environment, santri are expected to not only understand their religion deeply but also to practice it in their daily lives. This makes pesantren highly relevant as centers for character building amidst the challenges of globalization and modernization. The strength of pesantren education lies in core aspects that emphasize not only theoretical instruction but also practice and exemplary guidance.…