Exploring the Islamic practices of teacher-leaders among teachers in selected secondary schools in Kuala Langat, Selangor

Abstract

This study explored the prevalence of teacher-leader practices (i.e., muallim, mudarris, muaddib, murabbi, murshid, mujtahid and mujaddid practices) among teachers in eight secondary schools in Kuala Langat, Selangor. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a convenience sample of 294 teachers teaching at the eight schools. They answered a 55-item questionnaire on Islamic teacher–leader practices modified from previous studies. Descriptive statistics (i.e., means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages), an independent samples t-test and a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to answer the study’s four research questions. Overall, the study found that the teachers frequently acted in six of the seven teacher-leader roles, that is, as muaalims, mudarrisses, muaddibs, murabbis, murshids, and mujtahids. However, mujaddid practices were less prevalent among this sample of teachers. There was no significant gender difference found in the practices, but significant differences were observed in regard to three practices, i.e., those reflecting the muaddib, murabbi, and mujtahid roles, in favor of teachers who taught religious education subjects. These results show that teachers are aware of their multifaceted roles as educational leaders and managers that go beyond classroom teaching. Based on the results, this study encourages schoolteachers to maintain practicing their roles as teacher-leaders to produce morally good and productive individuals in line with the aims of Islamic Education and the Malaysian philosophy of education. The same research should be conducted using bigger samples and different research methods. Qualitative research is recommended to obtain a more in-depth understanding of teachers’ practices as teacher-leaders in myriad school settings.