Upaya Kepala Madrasah Dalam Mempertahankan Eksistensi Madrasah Tsanawiyah Di Mts PHI Bangung Jaya Kecamatan Betara

Abstract

This study aims to describe the efforts of the Madrasah Head in maintaining the existence of Tsanawiyah Madrasah, identify the obstacles faced, and discover the solutions implemented at MTs PHI Bangun Jaya, Betara District. This research employed a qualitative approach using participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation. The informants included the Madrasah Head, teachers, students, alumni, and community members. The findings revealed that the Madrasah Head's efforts comprised two main strategies: first, promotion through distributing brochures and introducing religious activities (congregational Dhuha prayer, Yasin recitation, muhadharah) as well as extracurricular activities (scouting and pencak silat); second, repairing and developing school facilities such as room renovation, physical damage repair, and building more decent toilets. The obstacles faced included insufficient school funding, post-Covid-19 pandemic changes in student behavior characterized by decreased enthusiasm and difficulty in being disciplined, as well as community preferences for sending their children to Islamic boarding schools or public schools due to reasons of religious deepening or fear of losing KIS assistance. The solutions implemented were providing continuous motivation and advice to students and establishing close cooperation with alumni, parents, and the community through a mutual cooperation approach. This study concludes that the existence of a madrasah heavily depends on the leadership of the madrasah head who is adaptive, collaborative, and solution-oriented