RELIGIOUS CULTURE DEVELOPMENT IN COMMUNITY SCHOOL: A CASE STUDY OF BOYOLALI MIDDLE SCHOOL, CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to explore the religious culture development in the community school for public junior high schools in Boyolali, Indonesia. Methodology: This research employs a qualitative approach with interviews and observation as its main research tools for data collection. Three schools participated in this study. Namely: SMP Negeri 4 Boyolali, SMP Negeri 2 Boyolali, and SMP Negeri 6 Boyolali. Findings: This research reveals three main themes for developing a religious culture in the school community; firstly creating a systematic model of school policy; secondly, building cooperation with school leaders and citizens; and lastly, developing a religious culture through extracurricular activities. Implications of the study: The results of this study may be useful for the government in Indonesia as a reference in the development of religious culture in schools or may be useful for the development of religious cultural education in an area. Novelty: Student backgrounds greatly influence religious behavior, as well as school policies, which will also influence the development of religious culture, so the development of religious culture will affect the growth of student character. This study creates a systematic school policy model, builds cooperation between school leaders and citizens, and develops a religious culture through extracurricular activities in the school community, to be further enhanced by good management and clear regulations. The 2003 National Education System Law states that the first and foremost criteria in the formulation of these goals are people who believe in and fear of God Almighty and have good character. For religious culture to be applied in educational institutions, the importance of religion, cultural education needs to be developed.