The Effectiveness of the Implementation of the Tahfidz and Ngaji Kitab Pego Superior Class Program in Developing Students' Religious Moderation Skills

Abstract

Religious moderation is an essential value that should be instilled from an early age through education, particularly in Islamic primary schools, which play a strategic role in shaping students’ character and religious understanding. NU Ngingas Islamic Primary School developed an Excellence Class Program in Tahfidz and Pegon Book Studies as an innovative learning initiative that integrates Qur’anic memorization with the study of classical Islamic literature rooted in the pesantren tradition. This study aims to analyze the implementation of the program, its supporting and inhibiting factors, and its outcomes in fostering students’ religious moderation. The research employed a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation involving the principal, teachers, and students selected through purposive sampling. The findings reveal that the program has been implemented in a well-planned, systematic, and sustainable manner. The Pegon Book learning materials, which emphasize the values of tawasuth (moderation), tasamuh (tolerance), and tawazun (balance), contribute significantly to developing inclusive and non-extremist religious perspectives among students. The students demonstrated respectful attitudes toward differences, mutual understanding, and the ability to practice religious moderation values in their daily lives. Therefore, the Excellence Class Program in Tahfidz and Pegon Book Studies has proven effective in fostering religious moderation and may serve as a model for religious character development in Islamic primary schools.