Peran pesantren dalam membentuk karakter generasi muda

Abstract

Pesantren is the oldest Islamic educational institution in Indonesia that has a strategic role in shaping the character of the younger generation. Amid the currents of globalization and increasingly alarming moral degradation, pesantren serves as an educational institution that not only emphasizes the transfer of knowledge but also the comprehensive internalization of moral, spiritual, and social values. This article aims to examine the role of pesantren in shaping the character of the younger generation through various learning methods and habituation applied in the pesantren environment. This study uses a literature study approach by analyzing various sources related to pesantren-based character education. The results show that pesantren has three main roles: first, as an institution for forming religious character through the internalization of Islamic values; second, as a vehicle for developing social character through communal living; and third, as a guardian of local wisdom values amid modernization. Pesantren has proven effective in producing young generations who are virtuous, independent, and highly competitive.