Integrating Islamic Values and Gen-Z Development Through Co-Curricular Activities in Islamic Boarding Schools
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Abstract
Digital transformation has reshaped educational experiences for Generation Z (Gen-Z), including their expectations of participation, creativity, social interaction, and meaningful learning beyond formal classroom instruction. This study examines the role of co-curricular activities in engaging Gen-Z students at Ihyaussunnah Islamic Boarding School, with particular attention to intellectual, social, personal, and spiritual development and the internalisation of Islamic values. Drawing on humanistic, recreation, self-development, and rational choice perspectives, the study conceptualises co-curricular activities as developmental spaces within the residential Islamic educational environment. A qualitative case study approach was employed using document analysis, observation, and Semi-structured interviews with fourteen purposively selected participants, comprising three administrators, four teachers, and seven students directly involved in co-curricular activities. The findings indicate that co-curricular activities function as experiential learning spaces in which Islamic values are translated into everyday practices of responsibility, discipline, cooperation, leadership, and social participation. Meaningful Gen-Z engagement is associated not merely with attendance but with active participation, initiative, interaction, creativity, and perceived relevance to students’ interests and developmental needs. The activities contribute to students’ social competence, leadership, responsibility, creativity, confidence, independence, and spiritual awareness. However, sustaining engagement remains challenging because of changing student interests, tensions between institutional discipline and student autonomy, limited digital integration, and the lack of systematic assessment of developmental outcomes. The study concludes that co-curricular education in Islamic boarding schools should move beyond routine programme provision toward an adaptive, participatory, experiential, and development-oriented framework that preserves Islamic values while responding to the contemporary needs of Gen-Z.
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