Preserving Pesantren Identity through Institutional Transformation: Building Competitiveness in Salaf-Based Islamic Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54437/urwatulwutsqo.v15i3.3662Keywords:
Islamic educational transformation; pesantren; institutional competitivenessAbstract
The transformation of Islamic educational institutions is often associated with modernization, which can weaken the traditional identity of pesantren. However, limited studies have examined how salaf-based Islamic schools maintain their religious identity while simultaneously strengthening institutional competitiveness. This study aims to analyze the transformation strategy of Madrasah Aliyah Unggulan Al-Bahroin, Bojonegoro, in preserving pesantren traditions and enhancing institutional competitiveness. This study employed a qualitative case study approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with the principal, pesantren caregivers, teachers, students, parents, and alumni, complemented by participatory observations and document analysis. The data were analyzed using an interactive model consisting of data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing, while credibility was ensured through source and technique triangulation. The findings reveal two major strategies. First, institutional transformation is implemented through Selective Institutional Transformation, whereby every educational innovation is filtered according to pesantren values before adoption, enabling curriculum integration without compromising the salaf educational tradition. Second, institutional competitiveness is strengthened through integrated educational management, which combines responsive educational services, collaborative stakeholder communication, humanistic learning, life-skill development, and community trust. These strategies demonstrate that pesantren identity functions as a strategic organizational resource rather than an obstacle to educational innovation. This study contributes a conceptual model explaining that sustainable institutional transformation in Islamic education can be achieved by integrating modernization with the philosophical values of pesantren. Future studies are recommended to examine this model across diverse Islamic educational institutions using comparative and mixed-method approaches
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