The Role of Schools in Shaping Students’ Religious Character (Study at SMK Pelayaran Buana Bahari Cirebon)

Abstract

This article examines the role of schools in shaping students’ religious character through a case study conducted at SMK Pelayaran Buana Bahari Cirebon. The study aims to explore the strategies implemented by the school to internalize religious values and to analyze their impact on students’ character development. Employing a qualitative research approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews and systematic observations involving school leaders, teachers, and students. The findings reveal that the integration of religious education into the formal curriculum, the implementation of religious value–based extracurricular activities, and the creation of a supportive and religiously oriented school environment play a significant role in fostering students’ religious character. These strategies contribute to the development of discipline, moral awareness, and spiritual sensitivity among students. The study highlights that schools have a strategic role not only in enhancing students’ academic competencies but also in nurturing holistic individuals whose personalities are firmly grounded in religious and spiritual values