Enhancing Students’ Life Skills through Integrated Curriculum, Talent Placement, Enrichment, and Learning Motivation

Nur  Azizatul Musyarofah; Kurnia Akbar

doi:10.69725/aei.v1i3.344

Authors

Nur Azizatul Musyarofah Department of Education, Faculty of Islamic Education, Institut Ilmu Al-Qur’an (IIQ) Jakarta, Ciputat, Banten 15419, Indonesia
Kurnia Akbar Department of Education, Faculty of Islamic Education, Institut Ilmu Al-Qur’an (IIQ) Jakarta, Ciputat, Banten 15419, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69725/aei.v1i3.344

Keywords:

Curriculum integration, Talent-based placement, Extracurricular enrichment, Learning motivation, Life skills

Abstract

Purpose—This study examines the influence of curriculum integration, talent-based placement, extracurricular enrichment, and institutional support on students’ life skills through learning motivation in a pesantren-based educational context.

Design/methodology/approach—The study employed a mixed-method sequential explanatory design. Quantitative data were collected from 180 MA students at Pondok Pesantren Modern Al-Amanah and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling in SmartPLS. Qualitative data were obtained through interviews, observation, and documentation to explain and contextualize the quantitative findings.

Findings- The results show that curriculum integration, talent-based placement, institutional support, and learning motivation significantly influenced students’ life skills. Talent-based placement was the strongest direct predictor of life skills, while extracurricular enrichment had the strongest effect on learning motivation. Learning motivation significantly mediated the effects of talent-based placement and extracurricular enrichment on students’ life skills but did not significantly mediate the effects of curriculum integration and institutional support.

Research limitations/implications—This study was conducted in one pesantren-based institution; therefore, future research should involve multiple Islamic boarding schools and longitudinal designs to improve generalizability and causal interpretation.

Practical implications—The findings suggest that modern pesantren should strengthen interest-and-talent-based placement, program-based enrichment, teacher mentoring, facilities, and school–pesantren collaboration to optimize students’ personal, social, academic-vocational, and digital life skills.

Originality/value—This study contributes an integrated empirical model combining educational systems theory, self-determination theory, and the life skills framework to explain how pesantren-based education develops students’ life skills through both structural and motivational pathways.

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Author Biographies

Nur Azizatul Musyarofah, Department of Education, Faculty of Islamic Education, Institut Ilmu Al-Qur’an (IIQ) Jakarta, Ciputat, Banten 15419, Indonesia

Nur Azizatul Musyarofah, S.Pd. is a student in the Department of Education, Faculty of Islamic Education, Institut Ilmu Al-Qur’an (IIQ) Jakarta, Indonesia. Her academic interests focus on Islamic education, pesantren-based education systems, curriculum integration, student life skills, and educational innovation. In this study, she served as the first author and corresponding author, contributing to the conceptual development, field investigation, data collection, data analysis, and manuscript preparation. Her research reflects an interest in strengthening modern Islamic boarding school education through integrated curriculum, talent-based programmes, and life-skill development.
Kurnia Akbar, Department of Education, Faculty of Islamic Education, Institut Ilmu Al-Qur’an (IIQ) Jakarta, Ciputat, Banten 15419, Indonesia

Kurnia Akbar, S.S., M.Pd. is a lecturer in the Department of Education, Faculty of Islamic Education, Institut Ilmu Al-Qur’an (IIQ) Jakarta, Indonesia. His academic interests include Islamic education, educational management, curriculum development, and teacher professional development. In this study, he contributed as an academic supervisor and co-author, providing guidance on research design, theoretical development, instrument validation, and manuscript refinement. His scholarly profile is available through Google Scholar and SINTA, reflecting his contribution to educational research and Islamic education studies in Indonesia.

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