al-fikrah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan

School Ecology-Based Education Management for Building Students' Environmental Awareness: A Systematic Literature Review of Strategies and Impacts

2026-06-05T15:46:42+07:00

This systematic literature review examines the concept. implementation strategies, and impacts of ecology-based education management in schools for building students' environmental awareness. Following a qualitative descriptive-analytical approach, the study critically analyzed 28 peer-reviewed journal articles and scholarly documents published between 2014-2026, accessed through Google Scholar, Garuda, and DOAJ databases. The review employed thematic synthesis to identify patterns across the literature on environmental education, ecopedagogy, and Islamic ecotheology. Findings reveal that effective ecology-based education requires an integrated approach encompassing: (1) transformative school leadership that prioritizes ecological values as institutional identity: (2) contextual, experiential learning that connects students with real environmental problems: (3) consistent school programs such as Adiwiyata that foster sustainable habits: and (4) active participation of school residents and communities. The study further identifies that strengthening moral-spiritual values through Islamic ecotheology provides a more durable foundation for environmental responsibility compared to administrative approaches alone. However, implementation remains constrained by academic-oriented education systems, inconsistent school culture, and limited community support. This review confirms that transforming educational culture is essential for building sustainable ecological awareness, with implications for policy, practice, and future research on integrating ecological values across all dimensions of school management.

Cultivating Spiritual Culture through Principal Leadership : A Case Study of an Integrated Islamic Elementary School

2026-06-20T11:44:47+07:00

This study examines the role of the principal leadership in cultivating spiritual culture at SD IT An-Nadzhir, an integrated Islamic elementary school in Payakumbuh, Indonesia. Despite growing interest in spiritual leadership within educational contexts, limited research has specifically explored how principals develop religious culture in Islamic school facing modernization challenges. Employing a qualitative phenomenological design, this study purposively selected informants including the principal, teachers, staff, students, parents, and school committee member (n=10). Data were collected through in depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis, then analyzed using Miles, Huberman, and Saldana’s interactive model. Finding reveal that the principal cultivated spiritual culture through five strategic approaches : modelling religious behavior, institutionalizing religious routines, strengthening religious programs, practicing Islamic communication, and supervising spiritual values implementation. Spiritual culture manifested through congregational Dhuha prayer, Qur’an memorization, student preaching programs, greeting culture, and integration of Islamic values across the curriculum. The principal’s religious and participatory leadership fostered a harmonious, disciplined, and Islamic characterized school environment. This study contributes empirical evidence on spiritual leadership practices in Islamic education and offers practical implications for school administrators seeking to strengthen religious culture amidst educational modernization.

The Influence of Institutional Management and Educational Promotion Strategies on Student Enrollment Interest in Private Islamic Junior High Schools in Bukittinggi, Indonesia

2026-06-05T15:52:20+07:00

This study examines the influence of institutional management and educational promotion strategies on student enrollment interest in private Madrasah Tsanawiyah (Islamic junior high schools) in Bukittinggi, Indonesia. A quantitative correlational design was employed, utilizing questionnaires distributed to 28 principals, vice principals, and admission staff from three private madrasahs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis. Findings revealed that institutional management significantly influences enrollment interest (β = 0.412, p < 0.01), while educational promotion strategies, particularly digital media utilization, also demonstrate significant effects (β = 0.385, p < 0.01). Simultaneously, both variables contribute substantially to enrollment interest (R² = 0.542, p < 0.001). These results indicate that professional institutional governance combined with strategic digital promotion enhances institutional competitiveness and public trust in private Islamic educational institutions. The study contributes empirical evidence to educational management literature by integrating managerial and promotional dimensions within the Islamic education context, offering practical implications for school administrators in developing effective enrollment strategies

Building a Research Ecosystem in Islamic Education: Principal Strategies for Enhancing Student Innovation Competencies

2026-06-05T15:50:04+07:00

The Society 5.0 era requires educational institutions to develop students' critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and research competencies. However, studies examining how madrasah principals foster student research and innovation remain limited, particularly within Islamic secondary school contexts. This study investigates the strategies employed by the principal of MTsN 7 Lima Puluh Kota, an Islamic junior secondary school in Indonesia, to enhance student achievement in research and innovation competencies. A qualitative case study design was employed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and document analysis involving the principal, two research supervisors, and one student actively participating in research and innovation activities (n = 4). Data were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña, consisting of data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings indicate that the principal implemented six interconnected strategies: systematic research program planning, strengthening the SPEKTRA extracurricular research program, mentoring teachers and students, providing supporting facilities and infrastructure, fostering motivation and recognition systems, and establishing partnerships with external institutions. These strategies collectively contributed to students’ achievements in national research competitions, including a bronze medal in 2024 and silver and bronze medals in the Indonesian Student Research and Innovation Competition (KREASI) in 2025. The study demonstrates that transformational leadership plays a significant role in building a sustainable research culture and innovation ecosystem within madrasah education. The findings contribute to the limited body of literature on research competency development in Islamic schools and provide practical insights for educational leaders seeking to cultivate innovation-oriented learning environments.

Organizational Adaptability and Life Skills Development: A Case Study of Non-Formal Education Institutions in Balikpapan, Indonesia

2026-06-05T15:51:23+07:00

This study explores adaptive educational management practices in developing life skills education within non-formal education institutions in Balikpapan City, Indonesia. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research was conducted at East Balikpapan and West Balikpapan Sanggar Kegiatan Belajar (SKB) through interviews, observations, and document analysis involving school leaders, educators, and parents. Data validity was ensured through source and technique triangulation, while data were analyzed through condensation, categorization, and interpretative verification. The findings reveal that adaptive educational management is implemented through learner centered planning, collaborative decision-making, contextual curriculum adaptation, and continuous monitoring systems. Learning activities utilized project based learning, simulations, workshops, internships, and extracurricular engagement to strengthen students’ independence, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. Institutional adaptability was reflected in stakeholder participation, flexible instructional strategies, and responsive mentoring practices. This study concludes that adaptive educational management contributes to organizational responsiveness, inclusive educational culture, institutional resilience, and learners’ readiness to face future socioeconomic challenges.