STUDENT CARE AND SUPPORT SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION IN PRIVATE ISLAMIC SCHOOLS: A CASE STUDY OF THE ISLAMIC SCHOOLS IN THE THREE SOUTHERN BORDER PROVINCES UNDER ASSALAM SMART SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Abstract

This qualitative research aimed to study private Islamic schools’ student care and support system administration  in the three southern border provinces under Assalam Smart School Association.  Problems and solution guidelines were also investigated. One school in each of the three provinces—Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat—was chosen, totaling 3 schools in all. 12 key informants in this study included school administrators, classroom teachers, and those who responsible for the Student Care and Support System. The instruments used for collecting data were semi-structured interview and related documents. Content analysis was employed. The study yielded the following results:

Student Care and Support System in Islamic school consisted of 5 aspects: 1) getting to know your students individually by 1.1) Tarruf or self-introduction providing different getting to know each other activities; 1.2) students’ behavior observation and communicating with students’ parents or guardians; 1.3) home visits. 2) screening and placing students into 4 groups—close  group, care group, lead group, and expanding group—by  2.1) appointing screening committee  2.2) applying Islamic principles and screening criterion for grouping the students;  2.3) using SDQ system (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire) to assess students’ behavior; 3) supporting and problem solving by 3.1) providing Islamic study group; 3.2) designing group activities based on Islamic doctrine 3.3) basic training for method of Nasihad or warning from Al-Quran principle and Al-Hadis 3.4) communicating with parents and related agencies; 4) assessing students’ behavior for regrouping and 5)   promoting students to enhance motivation and positive changes in behavior.

Problem found in Islamic schools’ student care and support system administration was teachers’ lack of relevant information. This can be solved by setting up the Islamic study group for teachers and organizing the annual teacher seminar for solution guidance.