Integrating Islamic Values and Individual Characteristics to Overcome Learning Difficulties in Islamic boarding schools

Authors

  • Teti Ratnawulan Universitas Islam Nusantara
  • Ashri Hidayati Universitas Islam Nusantara
  • Baden Badrudin Universitas Islam Nusantara
  • Aznan Che Ahmad Universiti Brunei Darussalam
  • Rifqi Zaeni Achmad Syam Universitas Islam Nusantara
  • Willya Achmad Universitas Pasundan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v7i2.3084

Keywords:

Learning Difficulties, Islamic Boarding School, Islamic values, individual characteristics, psycho-spiritual intervention

Abstract

Learning difficulties in Islamic boarding schools remain a complex and persistent issue, particularly due to the integration of religious and general education systems, which create cognitive, emotional, and social challenges for students as they adapt to intensive learning environments. This study aims to examine the types of learning difficulties students experience, analyze the implementation of Islamic approaches to address these challenges, and evaluate the relationship between individual characteristics and the effectiveness of these interventions within the boarding school context. The research employed a qualitative case study design at Islamic Boarding School Syamsul’ulum, Sukabumi, Indonesia, using in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, with data analyzed through thematic analysis and triangulation to ensure credibility and contextual validity. The findings reveal that learning difficulties are multidimensional, including cognitive barriers in understanding classical Islamic texts, weak memorization and retention, low intrinsic motivation, and emotional instability such as homesickness, while Islamic approaches such as moral guidance (mau’izhah hasanah), spiritual reinforcement, Qur’an-based contextual teaching, and ukhuwah culture function as structured psycho-spiritual interventions that enhance emotional regulation, resilience, and learning engagement. These findings imply that educational institutions, particularly Islamic boarding schools, should adopt an integrative educational model that aligns spiritual practices with students’ individual characteristics and adaptive instructional strategies to effectively address learning difficulties and improve both academic and character development outcomes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aas, H. K. (2023). Professional development for inclusive and adaptive education: Lesson Study in a Norwegian context. Professional Development in Education, 49(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2020.1850509

Aggarwal, S., Wright, J., Morgan, A., Patton, G., & Reavley, N. (2023). Religiosity and spirituality in the prevention and management of depression and anxiety in young people: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05091-2

Ahmed, S. K. (2024). The pillars of trustworthiness in qualitative research. Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, 2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glmedi.2024.100051

Biggs, A., & Brough, P. (2025). Stress and Coping Theory. In Handbook of Concepts in Health, Health Behavior and Environmental Health (pp. 1–23). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0821-5_39-1

Captari, L. E., Shannonhouse, L., Aten, J. D., & Snyder, J. D. (2023). Building Spiritual Fortitude and Resilience Following Disaster: Synthesizing the Contributions of Positive Psychology and Religion/Spirituality. In Handbook of Positive Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality (pp. 475–490). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10274-5_30

Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Faisol, A., Baharuddin, B., Padil, M., & Barizi, A. (2024). Implementation of Character-Based Holistic Education in Islamic Boarding School Educational Institutions. Enrichment: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 2(9). https://doi.org/10.55324/enrichment.v2i9.234

Fitryansyah, M. A. (2024). Philosophy of Islamic Education. TARQIYATUNA: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam Dan Madrasah Ibtidaiyah, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.36769/tarqiyatuna.v3i2.609

Fuad, D. R. S. M., Musa, K., & Hashim, Z. (2022). Innovation culture in education: A systematic review of the literature. In Management in Education (Vol. 36, Number 3). https://doi.org/10.1177/0892020620959760

Gomez, Ma. J. (2025). The Impact of Inquiry-Based Learning in Science Education: A Systematic Review of Student Engagement and Achievement. Journal of Education, Learning, and Management, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.69739/jelm.v2i2.1143

Goyibova, N., Muslimov, N., Sabirova, G., Kadirova, N., & Samatova, B. (2025). Differentiation approach in education: Tailoring instruction for diverse learner needs. In MethodsX (Vol. 14). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2025.103163

Guo, Y., & Yang, Z. (2025). Managing Stress with Adaptive Coping: Unveiling the Positive and Negative Impacts on College Students’ Academic Engagement. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-025-01040-7

Hamdanah, Baharun, H., Najiburrohman, Thohir, P. F. D. M., & Sanjani, M. A. F. (2025). The Role of Kiai Leadership and Service Quality in Shaping the Reputation of Pesantren. Munaddhomah, 6(4). https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v6i4.1785

Hasbi, M., Alim, N., & Machmud, H. (2025). Transformation of Education Quality in Islamic Higher Education Institutions through Organizational Culture and Integrated Quality Management. Munaddhomah, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v6i3.1921

Imron, I., Mawardi, I., & Şen, A. (2023). The Influence of Spirituality on Academic Engagement through Achievement Motivation and Resilience. International Journal of Islamic Educational Psychology, 4(2), progres. https://doi.org/10.18196/ijiep.v4i2.19428

Inês, H., Pacheco, J. A., Abelha, M., & Seabra, F. (2022). Teaching Students with Learning Difficulties or Disabilities: Regular Education Teachers’ Professional Development and Practices. Education Sciences, 12(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12100652

Islamic, G., Supriyono, Ishaq, M., & Dayati, U. (2024). Character education through philosophical values in traditional Islamic boarding schools. Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 45(1). https://doi.org/10.34044/j.kjss.2024.45.1.04

Izzah, I., Mulyadi, M., Walid, M., Padil, M., & Wahyudin, A. (2024). Strategic Management of Schools for Excellence: Integrating Quality Culture and Character Development in Leading Educational Institutions. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 16(4). https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v16i4.5953

Jallow, A. S. (2023). The Role of Islamic Boarding School Education in Character Formation (Perspective of Islamic Psychology). Al Misykat : Journal of Islamic Psychology, 1(1), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.24269/almisykat.v1i1.6810

Junfeng, Z. (2024). Attribution of Academic Motivation. In The ECPH Encyclopedia of Psychology (pp. 107–108). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-7874-4_1069

Letuma, M. C., & Nhlumayo, B. S. (2026). Progression Policy, Learner Behavior, and Teacher Interventions: An Attribution Theory Perspective. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 25(3), 931–947. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.25.3.41

Mahmud, M., Hanif, M., & Hidayatullah, M. F. (2022). Character Education Strategy at Boarding School. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v5i1.1822

Mahrus, E., Prasojo, Z. H., Sukino, Purwanti, N., & Suratman, B. (2025). Transmission of Local Islamic Texts in Islamic Education: Materials, Actors, and the Historical Trajectory of Islamic Knowledge in Borneo. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v8i2.200

Masaki, F. (2023). Self-regulation from the sociocultural perspective—A literature review. Cogent Education, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2243763

Mayer, R. E. (2024). The Past, Present, and Future of the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning. Educational Psychology Review, 36(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-023-09842-1

Meylani, R. (2024). Innovations With Schema Theory: Modern Implications For Learning, Memory, And Academic Achievement. International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i01.13785

Miseliunaite, B., Kliziene, I., & Cibulskas, G. (2022). Can Holistic Education Solve the World’s Problems: A Systematic Literature Review. In Sustainability (Switzerland) (Vol. 14, Number 15). https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159737

Morgan, H. (2022). Understanding Thematic Analysis and the Debates Involving Its Use. Qualitative Report, 27(10). https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2022.5912

Muhammad Faizal Rabbani, Shohib, M. W., & Inayati, N. L. (2025). Overcoming Challenges in Qur’an Memorization: The Role of Motivation and Teaching Strategies Practices at Islamic Boarding School. JIE (Journal of Islamic Education), 10(1), 155–173. https://doi.org/10.52615/jie.v10i1.568

Napolitano, C. M., Sewell, M. N., Yoon, H., Elmi, C., & Roberts, B. W. (2024). SELF-REGULATION: A Character Development Perspective. In The Routledge International Handbook of Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Character Development, Volume II: Moderators, Threats, and Contexts. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003252450-8

Naz, N., Gulab, F., & Aslam, N. (2022). Development of Qualitative Semi-Structured Interview Guide for Case Study Research. Competitive Social Sciences Research Journal (CSSRJ), 3(2), 42–52. https://cssrjournal.com/index.php/cssrjournal/article/view/170

Nguyen, V. H., Halpin, R., & Joy-Thomas, A. R. (2024). Guided inquiry-based learning to enhance student engagement, confidence, and learning. Journal of Dental Education, 88(8). https://doi.org/10.1002/jdd.13531

Nikmatullah, C., Tihami, M. A., Badrudin, B., Tarihoran, N., & Wasehudin, W. (2025). The Role of the Pegon Script as Islamic Pedagogy in Supporting Religious Education, Local Identity, and Faith-Based Literacy in Banten Islamic Boarding Schools. Tadbir : Jurnal Studi Manajemen Pendidikan, 9(2), 407–428. https://doi.org/10.29240/jsmp.v9i2.12823

Nuryana, I., & Sirojuddin, A. (2025). Management of The Santri Executive Board in Human Resource Development at The Hidayatullah Islamic Boarding School. Nidhomul Haq : Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 10(3), 840–852. https://doi.org/10.31538/ndhq.v10i3.238

Osei, P. C., & Bjorklund, D. F. (2024). Motivating the Learning Process: Integrating Self-Determination Theory Into a Dynamical Systems Framework. In Educational Psychology Review (Vol. 36, Number 3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-024-09934-6

Prior, M. (2022). Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties. In Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315784816

Pulungan, M. S., Rizal, F., & Fajarini, U. (2025). How do students adapt to Islamic boarding school? An exploration of factors that affect school well-being. Psikis : Jurnal Psikologi Islami, 11(2), 329–342.

Purwaningsih, E. (2024). The Role of Metacognition in Character Education: A Case Study on Students’ Moral and Ethical Formation Strategies. Society, 12(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.33019/society.v12i1.617

Qi, Y., Manchuk, V., Korylchuk, N., Kabitska, O., & Sydorovych, O. (2025). Students’ Coping Strategies in Response to Academic Stress: A Study of Psychological Mechanisms and Their Effects on Adaptation. Futurity of Social Sciences, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.57125/fs.2025.09.20.02

Rahman, G. (2025). Transforming Islamic Education Through Value-Based Leadership: A Narrative Review. Sinergi International Journal of Islamic Studies, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.61194/ijis.v3i2.712

Ramilo, J. P., & Ting, M. S. (2025). Effectiveness of Differentiated Instruction, Level of Engagement and Academic Performance of Students with Diverse Learning Needs in an Inclusive Classroom in SDO Calamba City. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 6(2), 1406–1415. https://doi.org/10.54660/.IJMRGE.2025.6.2.1406-1415

Şanal, S. Ö., Güler, T. D., & Torun, F. (2025). Supporting learning difficulties with e-book based on context-based teaching strategy from social perspective: design and experience. Education and Information Technologies, 30(11), 14661–14702. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-13314-6

Schlunegger, M. C., Zumstein-Shaha, M., & Palm, R. (2024). Methodologic and Data-Analysis Triangulation in Case Studies: A Scoping Review. In Western Journal of Nursing Research (Vol. 46, Number 8). https://doi.org/10.1177/01939459241263011

Seftika Nur Asyiah, Puput Puspita Sari, & Mas’udin. (2025). Islamic education in traditional pesantren: A comprehensive analysis of teaching methods and their variations. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Dan Sains Islam Interdisipliner. https://doi.org/10.59944/jipsi.v4i2.420

Shodiq, S. F. (2024). The Role of Religious Education in Cultivating Emotional Intelligence and Resilience Among Students in Diverse Communities. Jurnal Pendidikan Progresif, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.23960/jpp.v14.i3.2024120

Snowling, M. J., Hulme, C., & Nation, K. (2022). The Science of Reading: A Handbook, Second Edition. In The Science of Reading: A Handbook, Second Edition. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119705116

Supriyyadi, S., Nadir, M., & Ikhwan, M. B. (2025). Implementation of SWOT in Improving the Image of Islamic Boarding Schools at the Islamic Boarding School. Instructional Development Journal, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.24014/idj.v8i1.30459

Wahono, M., Budimansyah, D., Malihah, E., & Fitriasari, S. (2023). The Role of Social Capital of Islamic Students (Santri) in Facing the Impacts of Globalization: A Case Study at Buntet Islamic Boarding School. Society, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.33019/society.v11i2.591

Walian, A., Abdurrahmansyah, A., & Kusnadi, K. (2025). Innovative Approaches and Traditional Methods: Constructing Qiroatul Kutub Learning in South Sumatran Islamic Boarding Schools. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 17(3). https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v17i3.7308

Xie, Q., Zhang, L., & King, R. B. (2022). Why do students change their learning approaches? A mixed-methods study. Educational Psychology, 42(9), 1089–1108. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2022.2049708

Yadi, I. N., Zulkarnain, & Mastofa, S. (2025). Religious Value Internalization through Youth Religious Activities: Strengthening Faith and Character Development in Community-Based Education. Journal of Religious Studies, 1(1), 01–09. https://doi.org/10.64780/jors.v1i1.104

Yanmei, Z., Muhamad, M. M. bin, Mustakim, S. S. binti, & Zhufen, Y. (2024). Integration of Holistic Education with Pre-service Teacher Cultivation: Dimensional Analysis and Role Perceptions. Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 44(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10897090

Yin, R. K. (2019). Studi Kasus: Desain & Metode. PT. Raja Grafindo Persada.

Yunitasari, D., Lasmawan, I. W., Arnyana, I. B. P., & Ardana, I. M. (2025). Breaking Barriers: Advancing Inclusive Education Through Early Identification of Learning Challenges. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v8i1.133

Zidan, M. (2023). Learning Difficulties Theories And Solutions. Neoma Journal Of Humanities And Literature (NJHL), 1(June). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7992073

Downloads

Published

2026-04-28

How to Cite

Ratnawulan, T., Hidayati, A., Badrudin, B., Ahmad, A. C., Syam, R. Z. A., & Achmad, W. (2026). Integrating Islamic Values and Individual Characteristics to Overcome Learning Difficulties in Islamic boarding schools. Munaddhomah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 7(2), 308–321. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v7i2.3084

Similar Articles

<< < 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.