TOWARD AN INTEGRATIVE MODEL OF LOVE-BASED CURRICULUM AND PESANTREN VALUES FOR SUSTAINED CHARACTER FORMATION IN MADRASAH IBTIDAIYAH

Muhammad Fauzan Muttaqin, Aceng Ahmad Munandah alkhafi Billah

Abstract


Character education in madrasah ibtidaiyah (MI) tends to be cognitive and administrative in orientation, without paying attention to the important nurturing relations needed by children. The Love-Based Curriculum (KBC) 2025 invites madrasahs to make love a basis of education, but no study has elaborated relationships between KBC and moral customs of pesantren and the documented curriculum. This study documents love-based practices, explores pesantren values in character education, and develops an integrated model of its sustainability. This study used an instrumental case study method at MI Wathoniyah Putra Pesantren Buntet in Cirebon, West Java, in June–August 2026. Data were obtained from 6 sessions of participant observation, 13 semi-structured interviews with the head of madrasa, three teachers, and nine students of fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, and documentary studies. The analysis combines inductive coding, the concept of sensitization, and abductive synthesis. The findings/the conclusions: (1) there is care (relational) but it wanes as time constraints arise; (2) the values of "pesantren" (sincerity, humility, brotherhood, worship discipline, social responsibility) are actualized in the exemplary conduct and habit to conduct so, but some are just the façade of them; and (3) most of the values are unwritten, and the reliance on the educators and their tradition. The novelty of this study lies in a five-part model (value foundation, love-based learning climate, empathic pedagogy, habituation and role modeling, and formative character assessment) consisting of three stages of implementation that can be associated with data, theory, and abductive reasoning. This model is theoretical and still needs to be tested on other pesantren-based madrasah with similar foundation.

Keywords


Ethics of Care; Character Education; Pesantren-Based Madrasah; All-Affect-Based Curriculum.

Full Text:

PDF

References


Achadah, A., Wahidmurni, W., & Yasin, A. F. (2022). Internalization of character education values in shaping elementary school students’ religious behavior. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 14(4), 4723–4734. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v14i4.2509

Amala, A., & Nofiaturrahmah, F. (2026). Aktualisasi nilai cinta diri dan sesama dalam pembelajaran akidah akhlak pada materi ragam sikap terpuji di {MA NU Salafiyah Kenduren}: Studi kasus implementasi Kurikulum Berbasis Cinta. Jurnal Pendas, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.23969/jp.v11i02.52878

Anisa, P., Rahmi, R., Agustina, M., Azhari, M., & Yacob, H. H. (2026). Character education from {Thomas Lickona}’s perspective in building moral intelligence in primary education. Journal of Education Research, 7(2), 322–327. https://doi.org/10.37985/jer.v7i2.3467

Arham, R. (2025). Model kurikulum cinta di {MIN} 22: Ekoteologi, moderasi, nasionalisme. Journal of Islamic Education Studies, 4(1), 89–96. https://doi.org/10.58569/jies.v4i1.1331

Arif, M. (2024). The existence of madrasah ibtidaiyah based on pesantren: Challenges and opportunities in the digital era. Munaddhomah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 5(4), 367–382. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v5i4.1401

Arifin, H. N., Rusmayani, R., Arjiman, A., & Hafid, M. (2026). Cultivating religious moderation through a {Kurikulum Berbasis Cinta}: A teacher’s strategy in a {Bali} {Muslim}-minority madrasah. Edupedia: Jurnal Studi Pendidikan Dan Pedagogi Islam, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.35316/edupedia.v11i1.9300

Azizi, N. D., Khabib, K. C., Albab, A. W., Madani, I., & Setyowati, E. (2026). Kurikulum Berbasis Cinta and its role in strengthening {Islamic} character education in madrasah ibtidaiyah. Edupedia: Jurnal Studi Pendidikan Dan Pedagogi Islam, 10(2), 241–260. https://doi.org/10.35316/edupedia.v10i2.8387

Bennett, P. S. (2023). Care ethics, needs-recognition, and teaching encounters. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 57(3), 626–642. https://doi.org/10.1093/jopedu/qhad040

Biesta, G. (2020). Risking ourselves in education: Qualification, socialization, and subjectification revisited. Educational Theory, 70(1), 89–104. https://doi.org/10.1111/edth.12411

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). To saturate or not to saturate? Questioning data saturation as a useful concept for thematic analysis and sample-size rationales. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 13(2), 201–216. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2019.1704846

Danil, H., Syafaruddin, B., & Sarda, M. (2025). Insertion of a {Love-Based Curriculum} in multicultural {Islamic} religious education. ETDC: Indonesian Journal of Research and Educational Review, 4(4), 1323–1335. https://doi.org/10.51574/ijrer.v4i4.3745

Durlak, J. A., Mahoney, J. L., & Boyle, A. E. (2022). What we know, and what we need to find out about universal, school-based social and emotional learning programs for children and adolescents: A review of meta-analyses and directions for future research. Psychological Bulletin, 148(11--12), 765–782. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000383

Khairani, V., Fitriani, F., Ekowati, E., Daulay, I. R., Darmawan, D., Anggraini, V., & Aslami, S. (2025). Kurikulum cinta sebagai strategi moderasi beragama dalam dunia pendidikan: Tinjauan literatur. Studia Sosia Religia, 8(2), 75–83. https://doi.org/10.51900/ssr.v8i2.25008

Kholidin, & Sunhaji. (2025). Eksplorasi nilai-nilai kurikulum berbasis cinta sebagai fondasi pendidikan karakter di madrasah ibtidaiyah. Jurnal Tawadhu, 9(2), 238–251. https://doi.org/10.52802/twd.v9i2.1847

Koto, M. K., Hasibuan, E. K., Sandi, R. R., Siregar, A. S. B., & Darlis, A. (2025). Pendidikan {Islam} dan kurikulum cinta. Nusantara: Jurnal Ilmu Pengetahuan Sosial, 12(8), 3278–3287. https://doi.org/10.31604/jips.v12i8.2025.3278-3287

Krettenauer, T., & Stichter, M. (2023). Moral identity and the acquisition of virtue: A self-regulation view. Review of General Psychology, 27(4), 396–409. https://doi.org/10.1177/10892680231170393

Lasmanah, L., & Mukarom, M. (2026). Analisis implementasi hidden curriculum dalam pembentukan karakter santri di pesantren {Indonesia}. Jurnal Pendas, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.23969/jp.v11i1.43724

Maharani, A., Zainuri, A., & Nugraha, L. (2025). Dari hati ke kelas: Pembelajaran {Bahasa Indonesia} berbasis cinta di {Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Sumatera Selatan}. Limas PGMI: Limas Pendidikan Guru Madrasah Ibtidaiyah, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.19109/limas_pgmi.v6i2.31034

Mahoney, J. L., Weissberg, R. P., Greenberg, M. T., Dusenbury, L., Jagers, R. J., Niemi, K., Schlinger, M., Schlund, J., Shriver, T. P., VanAusdal, K., & Yoder, N. (2021). Systemic social and emotional learning: Promoting educational success for all preschool to high school students. American Psychologist, 76(7), 1128–1142. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000701

Martani, E., Subiyantoro, & Muna, M. Y. (2026). Madrasah culture and students’ religious attitudes: A socio-religious ecosystem perspective. Jurnal Tarbiyatuna, 17(1), 182–199. https://doi.org/10.31603/0s53bj68

Maslani, M., Maulana, A. N., Al-Fathoni, B. Z., Nurhakim, D. A. R., & Nurlela, R. (2025). Analisis bahan ajar {Akidah Akhlak} kelas {V MI} terbitan {Kemenag RI} dalam perspektif kurikulum berbasis cinta. Indonesian Journal of Education and Development Research, 3(2), 1547–1558. https://doi.org/10.57235/ijedr.v3i2.6809

Miftakhuddin, M. (2020). Pengembangan model pendidikan agama {Islam} dalam membentuk karakter empati pada generasi {Z}. Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, 17(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.14421/jpai.2020.171-01

Motulsky, S. L. (2021). Is member checking the gold standard of quality in qualitative research? Qualitative Psychology, 8(3), 389–406. https://doi.org/10.1037/qup0000215

Mujahidah, M. (2025). The role of {Islamic} religious education in shaping students’ self control and morality in the digital age in primary schools/madrasah ibtidaiyah. Al-Ashr: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pembelajaran Dasar, 10(2), 267–279. https://doi.org/10.56013/alashr.v10i2.4793

Munawir, M., Zuhriah, A., Nur’aini, H. D., & Azizah, I. N. (2024). Analisis konsep rahmatan lil alamin pada pembelajaran pendidikan agama {Islam}. Journal of Instructional and Development Researches, 4(6), 566–573. https://doi.org/10.53621/jider.v4i6.422

Murtadho, M. A., Zainuri, A., & Yasir, M. G. (2026). Kurikulum berbasis cinta sebagai upaya pembentukan karakter siswa di {SDIT Kamiliyah Palembang}. Didaktik: Jurnal Ilmiah PGSD STKIP Subang, 12(1), 142–154. https://doi.org/10.36989/didaktik.v12i01.12004

Muslikh, Sholikhudin, A., & Ma’ruf, A. (2026). Implementasi kurikulum berbasis cinta sebagai preventif radikalisme siswa. Idarah Tarbawiyah: Journal of Management in Islamic Education, 7(3), 811–820. https://doi.org/10.32832/itjmie.v7i3.23185

Muttaqin, M. F. (2025). Integrasi Nilai Toleransi Profil Pelajar Rahamatan Lil Alamin Pada Pembelajaran Ekstrakulikuler. JEMARI (Jurnal Edukasi Madrasah Ibtidaiyah), 7(1), 15–22. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30599/fh0je666

Nada, Z. Q., & Listiana, H. (2025). Analisis kesiapan guru madrasah dalam insersi {Kurikulum Cinta}. Entita: Jurnal Pendidikan Ilmu Pengetahuan Sosial Dan Ilmu-Ilmu Sosial, 1, 385–400. https://doi.org/10.19105/ejpis.v1i.19188

Naeem, M., Ozuem, W., Howell, K., & Ranfagni, S. (2023). A step-by-step process of thematic analysis to develop a conceptual model in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22, 16094069231205788. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231205789

Napisa, A., Ansori, M., & Rusydi, M. (2026). Reconstructing the pesantren-based madrasah curriculum for character development. LANCAH: Jurnal Inovasi Dan Tren, 4(2), 1022–1036. https://doi.org/10.35870/ljit.v4i2.8863

Nguyen, D., Boeren, E., Maitra, S., & Cabus, S. (2024). A review of the empirical research literature on {PLCs} for teachers in the {Global South}: Evidence, implications, and directions. Professional Development in Education, 50(1), 91–107. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2023.2238728

Nini, N., Zulpadrianto, Z., Fajri, S., & Ihsan, S. F. (2026). Islamic character education in a laboratory madrasah: A qualitative case study of school culture, habituation, and students’ moral development. Edulab: Majalah Ilmiah Laboratorium Pendidikan, 11(2), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.14421/edulab.2026.112.01

Nugraha, L., Zainuri, A., Maharani, A., & Hamzah, A. (2025). Implementasi {Kurikulum} berbasis cinta pada madrasah ibtidaiyah di {Kota Palembang}: Sebuah studi literatur. Linear: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 9(2), 89–102. https://doi.org/10.53090/j.linear.v9i2.1062

Putri, O. R., Zainuri, A., & Yasir, M. G. (2026). Konsep etika kepedulian dalam struktur {Kurikulum Berbasis Cinta} di {MI Al-Islah Palembang}. Didaktik: Jurnal Ilmiah PGSD STKIP Subang, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.36989/didaktik.v12i01.12012

Qomariana, A., & Fanani, A. (2025). Moral formation and its limits: A case study of {Islamic} educational ethics in a madrasah tsanawiyah, {East Java}. ELite Journal: International Journal of Education, Language, and Literature, 5(1), 58–71. https://doi.org/10.26740/elitejournal.v5n1.p58-71

Rahmatullah, A., & Baharun, S. (2023). Ta’zir (punishment) at {Islamic} boarding schools: Between tradition, conception, and shadows of human rights violations. Tribakti: Jurnal Pemikiran Keislaman, 34(2). https://doi.org/10.33367/tribakti.v34i2.3517

Rahmawati, Zainuri, A., & Yasir, M. G. (2026). Antara konsep dan realitas: Minimnya implementasi kurikulum berbasis cinta dalam penguatan moderasi beragama di madrasah tsanawiyah {Palembang}. Didaktik: Jurnal Ilmiah PGSD STKIP Subang, 12(2), 244–254. https://doi.org/10.36989/didaktik.v12i02.12521

Rofi’ah, F. Z., Habibah, K. M., & Habibullah, M. R. (2026). Translating {Love-Based Curriculum} into practice: {Panca Cinta} integration in {Qur’an Hadith} learning at an {Indonesian} madrasah. RJTPD, 4(2), 68–83. https://doi.org/10.21580/rjtpd.v4i02.33761

Rosyidin, M. A. (2023). The absorption of {Islamic} education thought of {KH. M. Hasyim Asy’ari} through teaching of {Adab al-’Alim wa al-Muta’allim} among the santri at the {Pesantren Tebuireng}. Millah: Journal of Religious Studies, 22(2), 611–640. https://doi.org/10.20885/millah.vol22.iss2.art12

Samsu, Mahmud, M. Y., Setiawan, A., & Hidayati, Z. R. (2026). Implementasi {Kurikulum Cinta} di {Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Al-Munawwarah Kota Jambi}. Jurnal QOSIM: Jurnal Pendidikan Sosial & Humaniora, 4(2), 51–59. https://doi.org/10.61104/jq.v4i2.5368

Samsuddin, M., & Muaddib, H. H. (2026). Implementasi {Kurikulum Berbasis Cinta} pada tingkat madrasah ibtidaiyah. Jurnal Keguruan Dan Ilmu Pendidikan (JKIP), 4(1). https://doi.org/10.61116/jkip.v4i1.821

Sarwadi, S., & Raihan, N. (2025). Reinforcing {Islamic} moral values through contemporary pesantren education: A pathway to character development. Edukasi Islami: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 14(4). https://doi.org/10.30868/ei.v14i04.9041

Solihah, A. M., Sugara, U., & Fathoni, A. (2024). Teacher’s role: Implementation of religious character education through the habituation method in elementary school. Jurnal Ilmiah Sekolah Dasar, 8(3), 402–412. https://doi.org/10.23887/jisd.v8i3.63426

Turner, C., Prasasti, I. H., Baihaqi, Y., & Andewi, W. (2024). The role of the teacher as a model in forming character education in primary school students. International Journal of Education, Culture and Technology, 1(1), 47–52. https://doi.org/10.69747/eduij.v1i1.53

Uyun, F., Maimun, A., Walid, M., Supriyatno, T., Barizi, A., & Najah, A. T. S. (2026). Madrasah culture-based integrative ethics education model: A case study of character formation in {Indonesia}. J-PAI: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, 13(1), 89–104. https://doi.org/10.18860/jpai.v13i1.45887

Vila-Henninger, L., Dupuy, C., Van Ingelgom, V., Caprioli, M., Teuber, F., Pennetreau, D., Bussi, M., & Le Gall, C. (2024). Abductive coding: Theory building and qualitative (re)analysis. Sociological Methods & Research, 53(2), 968–1001. https://doi.org/10.1177/00491241211067508

Yuan, M., MacDonnell, M., Poliakova, P., Hatchimonji, D. R., Linsky, A. C. V, Selby, E. A., & Elias, M. J. (2025). Testing the social-emotional and character development ({SECD}) approach with student mental health and academic outcomes. Social and Emotional Learning: Research, Practice, and Policy, 5, 100105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sel.2025.100105

Yusuf, S., Firnanda, R., & Zainuddin, N. (2026). The internalization of character values among santri: A case study at {Budi Mulia Student Pesantren Yogyakarta}. Jurnal At-Ta’dib, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.21111/at-tadib.v21i1.21

Zainuri, M., Mu’alimin, M., & Umam, K. (2025). Boarding school and character education: Exploring moral development in {Islamic} educational institutions in {Indonesia}. Benchmarking: Journal of Islamic Education Management, 9(1), 130–138. https://doi.org/10.30821/benchmarking.v9i1.24575




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.32934/jmie.v10i2.988

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

View My Stats

Copyright © 2017, JMIE: Journal of Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Education, p-ISSN: 2580-0868, e-ISSN: 2580-2739

 

Indexed By:

 Logo Google Scholar Logo Garuda Logo Crossref Logo Base  Logo Dimensions Logo Indonesia Onesearch