Reconstructing islamic religious education through a love-based curriculum: Toward the humanization of learning in elementary schools
Keywords:
Elementary School, Humanistic Learning, Islamic Religious Education, Love-Based Curriculum, Religious CharacterAbstract
This study aims to analyze the reconstruction of Islamic Religious Education through the implementation of the Love-Based Curriculum (LBC) in elementary schools, particularly in transforming learning practices toward more humanistic, participatory, and value-oriented education. The study employed a qualitative approach using a case study design conducted at MIN 2 Bondowoso, Indonesia. Participants consisted of the principal, Islamic Religious Education teachers, students, and parents selected purposively based on their direct involvement in the implementation of the curriculum. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, and were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña. The findings reveal that the Love-Based Curriculum transformed Islamic Religious Education from a teacher-centered and doctrinal approach into a more dialogic, reflective, and student-centered learning process. The integration of the Five Dimensions of Love love of God, humanity, knowledge, the environment, and the nation encouraged meaningful learning experiences and strengthened students’ religious character through empathy, tolerance, social awareness, responsibility, and worship consciousness. The study demonstrates that love-based pedagogy contributes not only to cognitive understanding but also to students’ emotional, social, and spiritual development. The novelty of this study lies in positioning the Love-Based Curriculum as a pedagogical framework for the humanization of Islamic Religious Education at the elementary school level. This study contributes theoretically to contemporary discussions on humanistic religious education and practically to the development of compassionate and transformative learning models in Islamic education.
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