Islamic Education Teachers and the Cultivation of Akhlakul Karimah among Generation Z: A Case Study at SMPIT Al-Khairiyah Bogor

Abstract

Education plays a crucial role in shaping quality human resources, not only intellectually but also morally and spiritually. Islamic Education (PAI) serves as a central instrument for instilling akhlakul karimah (noble character) and faces new challenges with Generation Z, who are deeply influenced by digital culture. This study aimed to analyze the role of Islamic Education teachers in cultivating akhlakul karimah among Generation Z students at SMPIT Al-Khairiyah Bogor.

Using a qualitative single case study, one Islamic Education teacher was selected purposively as the key informant. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation, then analyzed using Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña’s interactive model.

The findings show that teachers apply conventional strategies such as religious habituation, role modelling, and moral advice, complemented by innovative practices like personal sharing sessions. These dialogical spaces align with the communicative nature of Generation Z, enabling openness, empathy, and stronger internalization of values. Teachers also strengthen collaboration with parents through structured meetings and routine communication, ensuring that values taught in school are consistently reinforced at home.

The study concludes that effective character education requires an integrated framework combining habituation, dialogue, interpersonal communication, and teacher and parent collaboration. It recommends continuous pedagogical innovation, institutional support for parent and teacher partnerships, and professional development to enhance teachers’ interpersonal and digital competencies. Future research should broaden the scope across different contexts to refine strategies for nurturing akhlakul karimah in the digital era.