How Civic Education Strategies Shape the Internalization of National Character: Evidence from Mixed Methods in Islamic Junior High Schools
Abstract
This study examines how Civic Education (PKn) instructional strategies shape the internalization of national character among students in an Islamic junior high school context. Employing a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, quantitative data were collected from 135 students using a Likert-scale questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and one-way ANOVA. Qualitative data were gathered through interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis, and analyzed thematically. Quantitative results indicate a high overall level of national character internalization (M = 4.12), with love for the homeland (M = 4.32) and tolerance (M = 4.21) emerging as the strongest dimensions, while practical nationalism (M = 3.89) remains comparatively lower. A statistically significant moderate positive correlation was found between instructional strategies and national character internalization (r = 0.46, p < .05), alongside significant differences across grade levels (F = 2.87, p = .042), with higher internalization among Grade IX students. Qualitative findings explain these patterns by showing that participatory and experiential strategies such as discussions, simulations, and project-based learning, effectively foster students’ affective engagement and moral reflection, yet opportunities for sustained behavioral enactment remain limited. The findings conceptualize national character internalization as a differentiated process encompassing moral knowing, moral feeling, and moral action, where instructional strategies more strongly influence affective commitment than consistent civic behavior. Theoretically, this study contributes to citizenship education scholarship by refining the multidimensional understanding of value internalization. Practically, it highlights the need for inclusive and experience-based pedagogical approaches supported by structured opportunities for real-world civic practice in religious secondary schools.
References
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Janah, I. R., & Surawan, S. (2025). Validasi emosional sebagai fondasi pengembangan karakter siswa SMP Islam Nurul Ihsan Palangkaraya. PENA: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pengajaran, 2(2), 3064–3627. https://doi.org/https://ejournal.almusthofa.org/index.php/pena/index
Kajamaa, A., Mattick, K., & de la Croix, A. (2020). How to … do mixed-methods research. Clinical Teacher, 17(3), 267–271. https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13145
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Lind, G. (2023). The theory of moral-cognitive development: A socio-psychological assessment. In Moral development and the social environment. Routledge.
Liu, Q., & Wang, L. (2021). t-Test and ANOVA for data with ceiling and/or floor effects. Behavior Research Methods, 53(1), 264–277. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-020-01407-2
Lochmiller, C. R. (2021). Conducting thematic analysis with Qualitative Data. The Qualitative Report, 26(6), 2029–2044. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83549-966-520251028
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Miftakhu R. A., Sudrajat, J., & Heng L. S. (2022). Role of social Studies Teacher To Inculcate Student Character Values. International Journal of Science Education and Cultural Studies, 1(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.58291/ijsecs.v1i1.20
Mulyana, D. (2024). Citizenship education : Foundations of Indonesian nationalism and democracy. Journal Of Data Science, 2(01), 41–49. https://doi.org/10.54209/Science.v2i01
Osborn, T. L., Venture-Conerly, K. E., Wasil, A. R., Schleider, J. L., & Weisz, J. R. (2020). Depression and Anxiety symptoms, social support, and demographic factors among Kenyan High School Students. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29(5), 432–1443.
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Rijal, A., Affandi, I., Kosasih, A., & Somad, M. A. (2023). Internalization model of discipline character values to foster a positive culture in the School Environment. JPI (Jurnal Pendidikan Indonesia), 12(3), 408–417. https://doi.org/10.23887/jpiundiksha.v12i3.60130
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Shor, I. (2024). Empowering education: Critical teaching for social change. University of Chicago Press.
Sima, V., Gheorghe, I. G., Subić, J., & Nancu, D. (2020). Influences of the Industry 4.0 Revolution on the human capital development and consumer behavior: A Systematic Review. Sustainability, 12(10), 4035. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104035
Surawan, S., Syabrina, M., Bilad, C. Z. El, & Azmy, A. (2022). Implementation of character education at madrasahs and integrated islamic schools in central kalimantan. Ta’dib, 25(1), 19–26.
Tavakol, M., & Dennick, R. (2011). Making sense of Cronbach’s alpha. International Journal of Medical Education, 2, 53–55. https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.4dfb.8dfd
Umarova., M. (2023). Education of Youth in the spirit of Patriotism. Merican Journal of Social Sciences And Humanity Research, 03(12), 12–17. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.37547/ajsshr/Volume03Issue12-03
Vargas, C. M., & Cooper, P. J. (2024). Implementing sustainable development: From global policy to local action. Rowman & Littlefield.
Virginia K., & Michael G. (2022). Bandura’s social learning theory and its importance in the organizational psychology context. Journal of Psychology Research, 12(6). https://doi.org/10.17265/2159-5542/2022.06.001
Voronkova V., Vasyl’chuk G., Nikitenko V., Kaganov Y., M. N. (2023). Transformation of digital education in the era of the fourth industrial revolution and globalization: monograph. Baltija Publishing.
Afan, M. R., Mahardhani, A. J., Cahyono, H., & Chaniago, Z. (2024). The urgency of Pancasila and citizenship education to strengthen national character with global citizenship dimensions. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 16(4), 5422–5434. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v16i4.5759
Aida, N., Ahmadi, A., & Surawan, S. (2025). Innovation management class in overcoming academic burnout in PAI lessons at SMAN 2 Palangka Raya. Kamaya: Jurnal Ilmu Agama, 8(1), 88–104. https://doi.org/10.37329/kamaya.v8i1.4031
Arif, M., Abdurakhmonovich, Y. A., & Dorloh, S. (2023). Character education in the 21st century: The relevance of Abdul Wahhab Ash Syarani’s and Thomas Lickona’s concepts. Islamic Review: Jurnal Riset Dan Kajian Keislaman, 12(1), 35–58. https://doi.org/10.35878/islamicreview.v12i1.690
Boss, S., & Krauss, J. (2022). Reinventing project-based learning: Your field guide to real-world projects in the digital age. International Society for Technology in Education.
Chambell, D. E. (2019). What social scientists have learned about civic education: A review of the literature. Peabody Journal of Education, 94(1), 32–47. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/0161956X.2019.1553601
Chen, S. (2024). Implications of the work of Vygotsky or Piaget for Research in the field of learning sciences. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, 7(3), 188–193. https://doi.org/10.25236/ajhss.2024.070329
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Cronbach, L. J. (1951). Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika, 16(3), 297–334. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02310555
Curren, R., & Ryan, R. M. (2020). Moral self-determination: The nature, existence, and formation of moral motivation. Journal of Moral Education, 49(3), 295–315. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240.2020.1793744
Dawadi, S., Shrestha, S., & Giri, R. A. (2021). Mixed-Methods research: A discussion on its types, challenges, and criticisms. Journal of Practical Studies in Education, 2(2), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.46809/jpse.v2i2.20
Díez-Palomar, J., Garcia-Cariion, R., Hargreaves, L., & Vieites, M. (2020). Transforming students’ attitudes towards learning through the use of successful educational actions. PloS One, 15(10). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0240292
Dwintari, J. W., & Murdiono, M. (2023). The strategy of integrating tolerance values into civics learning in inclusive school. Jurnal Civics: Media Kajian Kewarganegaraan, 20(2), 214–222. https://doi.org/10.21831/jc.v20i2.42158
Ekornes, S., & Bele, I. V. (2021). Teachers’ Perceived efficacy in parental collaboration when students exhibit internalizing or externalizing behaviour—perspectives from a Norwegian context. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 66(2), 32–395. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2020.1869083
Elangovan, N., & Sundaravel, E. (2021). Method of preparing a document for survey instrument validation by experts. MethodsX, 8(July 2020), 101326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2021.101326
Field, A. (2018). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Fortuna, R., & Khadir, A. (2022). The role of civic education in the integration of the Indonesian Nation. Jurnal Pendidikan Amartha, 1(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.57235/jpa.v1i1.1
Hafizah, T., Ananda, S., Surawan, S., & Sapuadi, S. (2025). Pendampingan membaca Al-Qur’an: Upaya membangun karakter anak di TPA Darul Rahman Palangka Raya. Abdimas Awang Long, 8(2), 159–165. https://doi.org/10.56301/awal.v8i2.1517
Hafizallah, Y. (2024). The relevance of Thomas Lickona’s Character education concept and its implication for Islamic education in schools. IJCES Indonesian Journal of Character Education Studies, 1(1), 50–63. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.64420/ijces.v1i1.73
Izah, S. C., Sylva, L., & Hait, M. (2024). Cronbach’s alpha: A cornerstone in ensuring reliability and validity in environmental health assessment. ES Energy and Environment, 23, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.30919/esee1057
Janah, I. R., & Surawan, S. (2025). Validasi emosional sebagai fondasi pengembangan karakter siswa SMP Islam Nurul Ihsan Palangkaraya. PENA: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pengajaran, 2(2), 3064–3627. https://doi.org/https://ejournal.almusthofa.org/index.php/pena/index
Kajamaa, A., Mattick, K., & de la Croix, A. (2020). How to … do mixed-methods research. Clinical Teacher, 17(3), 267–271. https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13145
Kusumaningrum, D. N., & Sulistyaningsih, T. (2021). The internalization of nationalism and Pancasila for teenager as the value to living in the era of digital transformation. Journal of Community Service and Empowerment, 3(2), 77–87. https://doi.org/10.22219/jcse.v3i2.20595
Lehalle, H. (2020). Moral development in adolescence: how to integrate personal and social values?. In Handbook of adolescent development. Psychology Press.
Lind, G. (2023). The theory of moral-cognitive development: A socio-psychological assessment. In Moral development and the social environment. Routledge.
Liu, Q., & Wang, L. (2021). t-Test and ANOVA for data with ceiling and/or floor effects. Behavior Research Methods, 53(1), 264–277. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-020-01407-2
Lochmiller, C. R. (2021). Conducting thematic analysis with Qualitative Data. The Qualitative Report, 26(6), 2029–2044. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83549-966-520251028
Mertler, C. A. (2024). Action research: Improving schools and empowering educators. Sage Publications.
Miftakhu R. A., Sudrajat, J., & Heng L. S. (2022). Role of social Studies Teacher To Inculcate Student Character Values. International Journal of Science Education and Cultural Studies, 1(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.58291/ijsecs.v1i1.20
Mulyana, D. (2024). Citizenship education : Foundations of Indonesian nationalism and democracy. Journal Of Data Science, 2(01), 41–49. https://doi.org/10.54209/Science.v2i01
Osborn, T. L., Venture-Conerly, K. E., Wasil, A. R., Schleider, J. L., & Weisz, J. R. (2020). Depression and Anxiety symptoms, social support, and demographic factors among Kenyan High School Students. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29(5), 432–1443.
Pasaribu, M., Khairifa, F., Ali, R., Muis, A. A., & Ritonga, M. (2024). Youth Character Building through quality education in realizing golden Indonesia 2045. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(4), 180–192. https://doi.org/10.62754/joe.v3i4.3473
Rijal, A., Affandi, I., Kosasih, A., & Somad, M. A. (2023). Internalization model of discipline character values to foster a positive culture in the School Environment. JPI (Jurnal Pendidikan Indonesia), 12(3), 408–417. https://doi.org/10.23887/jpiundiksha.v12i3.60130
Rijal, A., Kosasih, A., & Nurdin, E. S. (2023). Proceedings of the International Conference on Language, Education, and Social Science (ICLESS 2022). In Proceedings of the International Conference on Language, Education, and Social Science (ICLESS 2022) (Vol. 1). Atlantis Press SARL. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-494069-15-2
Rizqi, W. T., Suharto, T., & Widodo, S. A. (2025). Family-Based Character Education through KH Bisri Mustofa and Lickona’s Perspectives. Al-Hayat: Journal of Islamic Education, 9(1), 244–260. https://doi.org/10.35723/ajie.v9i1.76
Rosfiani, O., Wahyuni, S., Irawan, M. D., Nurdianto, W., & Mandala Guna, A. P. (2024). Problem-Based Learning in Civics Education (PKN): A classroom action research in Indonesia. EDUTREND: Journal of Emerging Issues and Trends in Education, 1(3), 176–185. https://doi.org/10.59110/edutrend.303
Sá, M. J., & Serpa, S. (2020). Cultural dimension in internationalization of the curriculum in Higher Education. Education Sciences, 10(12), 375. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10120375
Santoso, G. (2021). Model Analysis (SWOT) of curriculum development from civic education at 21 Century, 4.0 era in Indonesian. IJEBD (International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business Development), 4(2), 250–256. https://doi.org/10.29138/ijebd.v4i2.1221
Saputri, N. N., Prasetiyo, W. H., & Gunarsi, S. (2023). The influence of teachers’ teaching strategies and students’ learning environment on civic learning motivation. Jurnal Pendidikan PKN (Pancasila Dan Kewarganegaraan), 4(2), 189. https://doi.org/10.26418/jppkn.v4i2.66412
Shor, I. (2024). Empowering education: Critical teaching for social change. University of Chicago Press.
Sima, V., Gheorghe, I. G., Subić, J., & Nancu, D. (2020). Influences of the Industry 4.0 Revolution on the human capital development and consumer behavior: A Systematic Review. Sustainability, 12(10), 4035. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104035
Surawan, S., Syabrina, M., Bilad, C. Z. El, & Azmy, A. (2022). Implementation of character education at madrasahs and integrated islamic schools in central kalimantan. Ta’dib, 25(1), 19–26.
Tavakol, M., & Dennick, R. (2011). Making sense of Cronbach’s alpha. International Journal of Medical Education, 2, 53–55. https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.4dfb.8dfd
Umarova., M. (2023). Education of Youth in the spirit of Patriotism. Merican Journal of Social Sciences And Humanity Research, 03(12), 12–17. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.37547/ajsshr/Volume03Issue12-03
Vargas, C. M., & Cooper, P. J. (2024). Implementing sustainable development: From global policy to local action. Rowman & Littlefield.
Virginia K., & Michael G. (2022). Bandura’s social learning theory and its importance in the organizational psychology context. Journal of Psychology Research, 12(6). https://doi.org/10.17265/2159-5542/2022.06.001
Voronkova V., Vasyl’chuk G., Nikitenko V., Kaganov Y., M. N. (2023). Transformation of digital education in the era of the fourth industrial revolution and globalization: monograph. Baltija Publishing.
Authors
Zulkarnain, A. I., & Supriadi, G. (2026). How Civic Education Strategies Shape the Internalization of National Character: Evidence from Mixed Methods in Islamic Junior High Schools. At- Ta’lim : Jurnal Pendidikan, 12(1), 40–53. https://doi.org/10.55210/attalim.v12i1.2423
Copyright (c) 2026 Ali Iskandar Zulkarnain, Gito Supriadi
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