The degree of teacher-leader practice among teachers at Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor Indonesia

Abstract

The main focus of the study is to describe the degree of teacher-leader practice among teachers at Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor Ponorogo, Indonesia. Specifically, the study provides information regarding the seven concepts of teacher-leader practiced by teachers as perceived by teachers and students, and the best practiced concept which can be used as the benchmark. The framework of the study is based on Islamic literature on teachers as educator and leader. Data was collected by using survey methods and questionnaires were the main tool of the study. One hundred and forty four (144) teachers and two hundred and fifty (250) students were chosen as respondents of the study. The data gathered from the survey was analyzed using descriptive and inference statistics of the SPSS-Versions 13.0 programme. The findings indicate there is a statistically significant difference in the practices of the seven concepts of teacher-leader among teachers at Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor Ponorogo, Indonesia. Teachers declared that they practice the teacher-leader concept at different degrees; Mudarris, Mu’addib, Murshid and Mujaddid were all practiced at the high level while Murabbi, Muallim, and Mujtahid were practiced at the simple high level. Similarly, students also declared that all concepts of teacherleader have been practiced by teachers of this Pondok at different degrees; Mudarris and Mu’addib were practiced at the high level while Murabbi, Murshid, Muallim, Mujtahid and Mujaddid were all practiced at the simple high level. Furthermore, the study found that the highest mean score according to teachers’ perceptions was Murabbi which means it was the most dominant concept practiced and it may be used as the benchmark, then, followed by Murshid, Mudarris, Mujtahid, Mujaddid, Mu’addib and Muallim. Meanwhile, the students gave Murshid the highest mean score and it was the most dominant concept practiced and may be used as the benchmark, followed by Mudarris, Murabbi, Mujtahid, Mujaddid, Mu’addib and Muallim. Interestingly, the study found that there was similar perception among teachers and students that Muallim was the least practiced concept by teachers at Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor. Based on the findings of this study it is recommended that similar studies be conducted on other Pondok or school organizations on a nationwide basis whereof their findings, suggestions and recommendations could be the source of enhancing Muslim teachers’ skills and qualities for a better ummah.