Nurturing Moral Excellence: Character Education Through Islamic Traditional Boarding School Model at Pondok Pesantren As’adiyah Sengkang

Abstract

Character education represents a fundamental cornerstone of Islamic educational institutions, particularly in the traditional boarding school system known as pondok pesantren in Indonesia. This article examines the distinctive approach to character education implemented at Pondok Pesantren As’adiyah Sengkang, one of the oldest and most influential Islamic educational institutions in South Sulawesi. Drawing upon contemporary scholarship in Islamic education and character development, this conceptual analysis explores how As’adiyah integrates traditional Islamic pedagogy with holistic character formation to cultivate moral excellence among students. The discussion encompasses two primary dimensions: first, the philosophical and pedagogical foundations of character education at As’adiyah, examining how Islamic values and pesantren traditions shape educational practice; second, the implementation strategies and distinctive features that characterize As’adiyah’s approach to nurturing student character. The analysis reveals that As’adiyah’s success in character education stems from the comprehensive integration of formal curriculum, informal mentoring, residential community life, and spiritual development within a supportive Islamic learning environment.