Penguatan Karakter Anak Usia Dini melalui Pembelajaran Proyek Kontekstual di PAUD Makassar

Junaedah — 2026-07-14

Character education in early childhood education has become a policy priority, but evidence regarding the effectiveness of contextual project-based learning that integrates observable character habituation in urban early childhood education settings in Indonesia remains limited. This study aimed to model the effectiveness of an eight-week contextual project-based learning program in strengthening discipline, responsibility, cooperation, empathy, and honesty among children aged 5–6 years in Makassar City. The study employed a simulated quasi-experimental design with an analytical dataset comprising 120 simulated child records from six anonymized early childhood education centers, consisting of 60 children in the experimental group and 60 children in the comparison group. The data were represented using a 25-item structured observation instrument and analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired comparisons, analysis of covariance controlling for pretest scores, heteroskedasticity-consistent standard errors, effect sizes, and sensitivity analysis. The simulation results showed that the mean score of the experimental group increased from M = 66.83 (SD = 6.91) to M = 79.64 (SD = 7.38), whereas the comparison group increased from M = 66.58 (SD = 6.54) to M = 73.70 (SD = 7.61). After controlling for pretest scores, the between-group difference was estimated at 5.71 points (95% CI = 4.25–7.16; p < 0.001), with a large partial effect size. Cooperation and discipline showed the most consistent improvement, whereas honesty demonstrated the smallest effect. These simulated findings indicate that contextual project-based learning has the potential to provide children with repeated, meaningful, and social experiences in practicing character values through actions rather than solely through verbal instruction. Theoretically, this study integrates social-emotional learning, self-regulation, guided play, and the character strengths perspective, while practically, the results can serve as a basis for teachers’ instructional planning, observational assessment, and the development of locally contextualized projects. However, because all research data were simulated, these findings require verification through empirical studies involving actual participants, preregistered protocols, longer follow-up periods, and multilevel analysis.

Implementasi Fungsi Imarah melalui Program Pengajian Rutin di Masjid Jamik Silang Rukoh-Blangkrueng

Suhnul Abda — 2026-07-15

Mosques serve a strategic function in the lives of Muslims, not only as places for performing mahdhah worship but also as centers of education, Islamic propagation, and community development. One aspect of mosque management that determines the extent of its prosperity is imarah, namely efforts to enliven the role of the mosque through various religious and community activities. This study aimed to describe the implementation of the imarah function through a regular Islamic study program at Masjid Jamik Silang Rukoh–Blangkrueng and to identify the factors supporting and hindering its implementation. The study employed a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation involving mosque administrators and congregants. The results showed that the regular Islamic studies conducted every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evening through the methods of Islamic text study, lectures, and discussions constituted a tangible implementation of the imarah function. The program enhanced the congregants’ religious understanding in the fields of Islamic jurisprudence, morality, Qur’anic exegesis, and Sufism, while also strengthening Islamic brotherhood and fostering the community’s sense of ownership of the mosque. The success of the program was supported by schedule consistency, the competence of the speakers, and the active participation of congregants, whereas the obstacles included congregants’ limited time, weather conditions, and the lack of participant regeneration among the younger generation. This study concludes that the continuity of the regular Islamic study program is an important indicator of the successful implementation of the imarah function in fostering a prosperous community-based mosque. These findings provide practical implications for mosque administrators to maintain program consistency, increase the participation of the younger generation, and strengthen the sustainable management of religious activities.

ANWARUL

Penguatan Karakter Anak Usia Dini melalui Pembelajaran Proyek Kontekstual di PAUD Makassar

Implementasi Fungsi Imarah melalui Program Pengajian Rutin di Masjid Jamik Silang Rukoh-Blangkrueng