Youth Intolerance and Radicalism in Indonesian High Schools: Weak Management of Student Religious Organizations and Alumni Influence
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Objective: This study analyzed intolerance and radicalism among high school students in Indonesia and explored their relationship with the management of school-based religious organizations in Surabaya and Jakarta.
Methods and Materials: This qualitative study was conducted in 50 senior high schools with active student religious activities in Surabaya and Jakarta. Data were collected through surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions with 50 informants, including 20 school principals and 30 teachers. In each city, 10 principals and 15 teachers participated. Secondary sources, including media reports, journal articles, institutional surveys, and relevant documents, supported primary data. Data were analyzed using emic and etic approaches to compare informants’ perspectives with researchers’ interpretations.
Findings: The findings showed indications of intolerance and radicalism among some high school students, particularly those involved in school religious organizations. Teachers reported concerns about students’ selective peer relationships, rigid religious attitudes, and exposure to external ideological influence. A key finding was that alums and senior students continued to influence or control weekend religious activities through mentoring networks and social media. Weak school supervision, limited teacher assistance during Saturday and Sunday activities, and the use of external religious mentors created opportunities for ideological indoctrination.
Conclusion: Intolerance and radicalism among high school students are linked to weak management of student religious organizations and insufficient teacher supervision. Schools should strengthen monitoring, assign trained teacher mentors, regulate alum involvement, and collaborate with moderate religious organizations and leaders.
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