STRENGTHENING SCHOOL RELIGIOUS CULTURE IN SHAPING STUDENTS’ CHARACTER IN THE DIGITAL ERA

Abstract

The development of the digital era has brought significant changes to students’ lives, particularly in aspects of behavior, communication, and character formation. The ease of accessing information through digital technology not only provides positive impacts on learning but also presents serious challenges, such as declining ethics, discipline, and the weakening of moral and religious values among students. This condition requires systematic efforts from educational institutions to strengthen the school’s religious culture as one of the strategies for character building. This study aims to analyze the strategies of principals and teachers in strengthening religious culture and to examine its impact on students’ character at SD Negeri 064/VII Sukasari 2 Sarolangun. This research uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive design. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. The research informants consisted of the principal, teachers, and students. Data analysis was conducted using the Miles and Huberman model, which includes data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings show that the principal’s strategies include religious habituation programs, supervision of students’ behavior, the creation of a religious school environment, and collaboration with parents. Meanwhile, teachers’ strategies involve role modeling, habituation, giving advice, and integrating religious values into the learning process. Strengthening religious culture has a positive impact on students’ character, such as improved discipline, responsibility, politeness, awareness of religious practices, and ethical use of digital technology. Therefore, school religious culture serves as an effective strategy in shaping students’ character in the digital era.