Discipline character amongst students: The experience of school stakeholders in indonesian secondary education

Authors

  • Jumri Hi. Tahang Basire Universitas Islam Negeri Datokarama Palu, Indonesia Author
  • Gusnarib B. Wahab Universitas Islam Negeri Datokarama Palu, Indonesia Author
  • Muhammad Sarib Abdul Rasak Universitas Islam Negeri Datokarama Palu, Indonesia Author
  • Masmur Universitas Islam Negeri Datokarama Palu, Indonesia Author
  • Ruslin Universitas Islam Negeri Datokarama Palu, Indonesia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1746-4261
  • Nur Asmawati Universitas Islam Negeri Datokarama Palu, Indonesia Author
  • Muhammad Ihsan Universitas Islam Negeri Datokarama Palu, Indonesia Author
  • Siti Nadia B. Sale Universitas Islam Negeri Datokarama Palu, Indonesia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53515/alqodiri.v24i1.38

Keywords:

Character education, Moral development, Student discipline, School regulations, Self-determination

Abstract

This study addresses the growing concern over students’ moral and behavioral challenges in contemporary education, where discipline is increasingly recognized as a fundamental component of character formation. The study aims to examine how school stakeholders perceive and implement disciplinary practices in fostering students’ character at SMP Al-Azhar Mandiri Palu, Indonesia. A descriptive qualitative research design was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with the principal, teachers, security personnel, and ninth-grade students, complemented by observations and document analysis. Data were analyzed using an interactive model consisting of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing, with triangulation applied to ensure credibility. The findings reveal that discipline is cultivated through a holistic and integrative approach involving structured school regulations, consistent supervision, parental involvement, and mentoring practices that emphasize self-reflection rather than punitive measures. Internal factors such as students’ motivation and habits, as well as external factors including teacher guidance, security enforcement, and institutional policies, interact dynamically in shaping disciplined behavior. The study also highlights that the integration of ecological collaboration, religious-humanist values, and autonomy-supportive practices fosters the internalization of discipline among students. In conclusion, effective discipline development requires a comprehensive framework that combines clear regulations, relational support, and intrinsic motivation to promote sustainable character formation in secondary education.

Author Biographies

  • Gusnarib B. Wahab, Universitas Islam Negeri Datokarama Palu, Indonesia

    Dr. Gusnarib is an associate professor specialized in civic and character education. Her research interests cover development of character in education, civil society in education, and curriculum development in Islamic religious education with several impactful publications

  • Muhammad Sarib Abdul Rasak, Universitas Islam Negeri Datokarama Palu, Indonesia

    Dr. Muhammad Sarib is a senior lecturer in Islamic education Management. He has been teaching teacher training and education for several years. His publications cover leaderships and Islamic education management. 

  • Masmur, Universitas Islam Negeri Datokarama Palu, Indonesia

    Masmur is an assistant professor in Islamic education management at UIN Datokarama Palu. He coached a number of young lecturers about to develop and manage a journal. His publications entail human resource management in education. 

  • Ruslin, Universitas Islam Negeri Datokarama Palu, Indonesia

    Ruslin, PhD in Education from the University of Sussex (2017), also earned an M.Sc. from Sussex (2009) and an M.Ed. in English Language Education from the State University of Malang (2003). He completed his B.Ed. at Tadulako University, Indonesia (2000). Since October 2023, he has served his second term as Head of the English Language Department, Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, UIN Datokarama Palu. His research interests include English language learning, work-based learning, and educational research, with several impactful publications.

  • Nur Asmawati, Universitas Islam Negeri Datokarama Palu, Indonesia

    Dr. Nur Asmawati is a scholar in English language education who earned her Master’s degree in English Language Studies from Hasanuddin University and completed her Doctorate in English Language Education at State University of Makassar in 2017. In 2011, she joined a Sandwich Scholarship program in Sydney funded by Dikti. Her research focuses on English language learning and collaborative learning in EFL, with impactful publications including A Comparative Analysis of Pronunciation Proficiency among Arabic and English Learners with software.

  • Siti Nadia B. Sale, Universitas Islam Negeri Datokarama Palu, Indonesia

    Siti Nadia is a graduate of Islamic Religious Education department of UIN Datokarama Palu. She is now active in teaching Islamic education in a junior high school in Buol, Central Sulawesi. She is also interested in doing research in the field of Islamic religious education.

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Published

2026-04-26