The Role of School Principals Through Religious Programs in Motivating Students' Religiosity Levels

Authors

  • Wanda Puspita Sari Universitas Muhammadiyah Palembang
  • Samsilayurni Universitas Muhammadiyah Palembang
  • Nurlena Universitas Muhammadiyah Palembang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61987/jemr.v5i2.1743

Keywords:

Principal Leadership, Student Religiosity, Religious Programs

Abstract

This study aims to examine the role of the principal in motivating students’ levels of religiosity through the implementation of religious programs. The research employs a qualitative approach using a case study design. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation involving principals, religious education teachers, and students. The data were analyzed using data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing techniques. The findings indicate that the principal plays an active role as a leader, motivator, and supervisor in organizing and overseeing various religious programs, including joint prayers, congregational prayers, Qur’an recitation (tadarus), infaq activities, religious extracurricular programs, and memorization of Asmaul Husna. These programs contribute positively to enhancing students’ religiosity, as reflected in their stronger commitment to religious values, increased participation in religious activities, and positive changes in attitudes and behavior. The study implies that effective leadership by school principals is crucial in strengthening students’ religious character through well-managed and consistently implemented religious programs. Such leadership can serve as a strategic model for character education in schools, particularly in fostering students’ moral and spiritual development.

References

Al Ghozi, P., & Amrullah, M. (2025). Religious Character Habituation Through School Culture in Elementary Schools: Pembentukan Karakter Religi Melalui Budaya Sekolah di Sekolah Dasar. Indonesian Journal of Education Methods Development, 20(4), 10–21070. https://doi.org/10.21070/ijemd.v20i4.914

Berliana Khofifah Febriyanti, B. K. F., & Supriyadi, S. (2023). Fostering Religious Character in Elementary School Students: Insights from Religious Habituation Activities. IJIS (Indonesian Journal of Islamic Studies), 11(3), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.21070/ijis.v11i3.1678

Effendi, Y. R. (2025). Principals' Leadership in Integrating Spiritual and Moral Values into Learning at Religious Middle Schools. International Journal of Education, 18(1), 79–92. https://doi.org/10.53935/jomw.v2024i4.611

Idayani, I., Khairuddiin, K., & Bahrun, B. (2023). The leadership of school principals in developing religious school culture at the basic education level in Jagong Jeget District, Central Aceh District, Indonesia. Path of Science, 9(5), 3001–3006. https://doi.org/10.22178/pos.92-2

Junaidi, J., Anwar, S. M., & Sahrir, S. (2023). The role of religion and social capital on entrepreneurship self-efficacy and motivation among students in Indonesia. Cogent Business & Management, 10(3), 2265091.

https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2023.2265091

Lee, C. (2018). The motivation and impact of religious participation: A qualitative study of undergraduate students at a liberal arts, faith-based institution. Journal of Research on Christian Education, 27(3), 197–224.

https://doi.org/10.1080/10656219.2018.1520159

Maulana, I., & Istanto, I. (2025). Principal-led programs in fostering religious school culture: A case study of public secondary schools. Ar-Rosikhun: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 5(1), 12–22.

Murharyana, M., Al Ayyubi, I. I., Rohmatulloh, R., & Ikromi, S. N. (2024). The effects of Islamic religious education learning on students' motivation. At-Tadzkir: Islamic Education Journal, 3(1), 1–14.

https://doi.org/10.59373/attadzkir.v3i1.44

Septariani, S. F. (2024). Principal's transformational leadership for strengthening religious values at SD Negeri Banyuraden Yogyakarta. Journal of Islamic Education and Ethics, 2(1), 55–64. https://doi.org/10.18196/jiee.v2i1.30

Taufiqurrahman, L., Al Idrus, H. S. A. J., & Muktar, F. (2023). The influence of the principal's leadership behavior and work discipline on the student's religiosity of MI 1 NWDI Pancor East Lombok. JESS (Journal of Educational Social Studies), 12(1), 64–72. https://doi.org/10.15294/jess.v12i1.64127

Ahmad, A. (2020). Supervision of Islamic education in the context of principal leadership. Bandung: Remaja Rosdakarya.

Fitriah, R., & Rahmah, E. N. (2020). The role of principal visionary leadership in improving the quality of Islamic religious education (PAI) learning at Al-Hasra Middle School, Depok. Qiro'ah: Journal of Islamic Religious Education, 10(1), 123–144.

Gobel, S., Roskina Mas, S., & Arifin, A. (2020). Principal strategies in strengthening religious character. Jambura Journal of Educational Management, 1, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.37411/jjem.v1i1.102

Habituation, T. A. (2023). Building the religious character of elementary school students through the habituation of Al-Qur'an recitation. 15(01), 67–82.

Hardani, A., et al. (2020). Qualitative and quantitative research methods. Yogyakarta: Pustaka Ilmu Group.

Hilmiati, H., & Saputra, F. (2020). Instilling religious values through the habituation of Duha and Dhuhur prayers in congregation at MI Raudlatusshibyan NW Belencong. El Midad, 12(1), 70–87.

https://doi.org/10.20414/elmidad.v12i1.2506

Khusmawardi, L., Mubin, N., & Robihan, A. (2024). Implementation of istighosah in instilling religious values in students of SMK Takhasus Al-Qur'an Wonosobo. Student Research Journal, 2, 140–149.

https://doi.org/10.55606/srjyappi.v2i3.1241

Kurniawansyah, E., & Mustari, M. (2024). The principal's efforts in instilling religious character in students at SD Budimat MBS Mataram. Scientific Journal of Educational Professions, 9(2), 1422–1431.

https://doi.org/10.29303/jipp.v9i2.2344

Ma'ruf, A., & Inayati, N. L. (2023). Instilling religious values through religious programs at SMA MTA Surakarta. Attractive: Innovative Education Journal, 5(2), 919–931.

Maria, A., & Ahmad, S. (2025). Implementing the habit of reading the Qur'an on students' spiritual religious attitudes. c.

Masloman, F. R., Supriati, A., & Pangalila, T. (2024). Strengthening religious character values through religious extracurricular activities in students at SMP Negeri 1 Tumpaan. Jambura Journal Civic Education, 4(1), 451–463.

https://doi.org/10.37905/jacedu.v4i1.24912

Misniaty, N. (2020). Dimensions of student religiosity in Islamic education. Journal of Islamic Studies, 15(1), 77–91.

Nafilah, R., Dwi, H., & Zamzami, A. (2025). The role of religious activities in the formation of students' disciplined character. Journal of Integral Islamic Education, 5(1), 70–82.

Puspitasari, I. (2019). Social construction of students' religious behavior.

Romadhoni, R., Bakhruddin, M., & Mulyono, N. (2023). Implementation of religious character in religious activities in junior high schools. Al-Thariqah Journal of Islamic Religious Education, 8(1), 162–173.

https://doi.org/10.25299/al-thariqah.2023.vol8(1).12115

Sahir, M. (2021). Qualitative research methodology. Bandung: CV Widya Pustaka.

Sumarto, H. A., & Nahar, S. (2024). Innovation in strengthening religious education: A case study in senior high schools. 10(1), 737–745.

Sunaedi, A., Rudji, H., & Muhammadiyah Palu, U. (2023). Principals' academic supervision in improving teacher performance at Tolitoli State Islamic Senior High School. Journal of Educational Management and Islamic Leadership, 02(02).

Suryadi, B., & Hayat, B. (2021). Religiosity_Cover_half of the book_bibliography (Issue 40).

Fauzi, A., Zaini, A. W., & Lateh, M. (2025). The influence of social media on public relations as a reinforcement of higher education reputation. Managere: Indonesian Journal of Educational Management, 7(1), 91–101.

https://doi.org/10.52627/managere.v7i1.650

Hasanah, R., Munawwaroh, I., Hasanah, M., & Mundiri, A. (2024). Fostering inclusivity: Strategies for supporting students with special needs in mainstream classrooms. FALASIFA: Jurnal Studi Keislaman, 15(1), 73–85.

https://doi.org/10.62097/falasifa.v15i1.1811

Jannah, F., Manshur, U., & Rizquha, A. (2025). Deconstructing dogmatic narratives: An effort to recontextualize Islamic education material for the critical generation. JURNAL ISLAM NUSANTARA, 9(1), 43–56.

Kusumawati, I., Rahma, M., Kunta, I. H., & Hikmah, U. (2025). Strategi pengelolaan visi MTSS dalam mewujudkan mutu pendidikan yang unggul. VISIONARIA: Journal of Educational Innovation Management, 1(3), 180–189.

Suhermanto, S. (2024). Kiai kampung and transformational leadership: A model for non-formal education to improve community quality of life. Journal of Pesantren and Diniyah Studies, 1(2), 165–174.

https://doi.org/10.63245/jpds.v1i2.25

Susanti, D., Safitri, S. D., Faizin, F., & Lateh, M. (2025). Eradicating bullying, creating a safe and comfortable learning environment through child-friendly schools. Early Childhood Development Gazette, 2(1), 38–48.

Downloads

Published

2026-02-05

How to Cite

Sari, W. P., Samsilayurni, & Nurlena. (2026). The Role of School Principals Through Religious Programs in Motivating Students’ Religiosity Levels. Journal of Educational Management Research, 5(2), 1613–1623. https://doi.org/10.61987/jemr.v5i2.1743

Issue

Section

Articles