Abstract
Indigenous belief communities in Indonesia continue to face marginalization in the national education system, limiting their access to education that aligns with their spiritual and cultural values. Our study investigates how the Sapta Darma community members perceive inclusive education and how their socio-cultural traditions can support educational practices rooted in independent learning. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach and a multi-site design, data were collected from 30 participants, including community leaders, parents, and youth in Banyuwangi, Kediri, and Yogyakarta through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation. The results show that inclusive education in the Sapta Darma community, grounded in the spirit of independent learning, must integrate local spiritual and cultural values to strengthen community identity, while their resilience amid challenges like limited facilities and social stigma highlights the need for greater government support. Our research highlights the urgent need for government policy support to develop inclusive curricula based on community access and to institutionalize inclusive education forums that empower Indigenous belief communities. Further research is needed to understand the long-term impact of local values-based education on students' social and academic development. The results of this study are expected to contribute significantly to the development of fairer education policies.
Author Bio(s)
Dr. Muhammad Ghafar is a lecturer in the Department of Islamic Education Management at the Kiai Ageng Muhammad Besari Ponorogo State Islamic University. He has a strong educational background in the field of educational management, with a doctorate in Education from a leading university in the field of Islamic Education Management with specializations in Islamic educational institution management, educational leadership, higher education management, educational service marketing, and quality control of educational services. His research and publications often focus on the management of Islamic educational institutions. He is active in various research and community service projects aimed at innovation and improvement of educational practices and has made significant contributions to the understanding and application of educational management in academic and practical contexts. He can be contacted at email: ghafar@iainponorogo.ac.id
Nunu Ahmad An-Nahidl is a Researcher at the Center for Educational Research, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Organization, National Research and Innovation Agency. Alumni of the Faculty of Ushuluddin State Islamic Institute Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta (1996), Dirosah 'Ulya Univ. Imam al-Auza'i Beirut, Lebanon (2001), and Middle East and Islamic Studies Study Program, University of Indonesia (2011). He was a teacher at Sekolah Indonesia Damascus, Syria, 1999-2002, and Staff of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia Damascus Syria (2000-2003). Since 2005, he has been a researcher at the Center for Research and Development of Religious and Religious Education, the Research and Development Agency of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, in the field of Religious Education studies. The research that has been conducted focuses on the governance of education and learning in madrasas, Islamic boarding schools, especially Ma'had Aly, as well as religious education in Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Since January 2022, he has joined the Center for Educational Research, National Research and Innovation Agency. He can be contacted at email: nunu004@brin.go.id
Professor Dr. Muhammad Thoyib is a lecturer at the Islamic education management study programme at Kiai Ageng Muhammad Besari Ponorogo State Islamic University who has expertise in the field of Islamic education quality management. He completed his master's and doctoral education through scholarships from the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia at Yogyakarta State University and Universitas Islam Nusantara (UNINUS), Bandung. In addition to teaching, he is also a consultant to improve the quality of education, both for universities, madrasah/school, pesantren and social communities. He can be contacted at email: thoyib@iainponorogo.ac.id
Rihab Wit Daryono is a lecturer at the Kiai Ageng Muhammad Besari Ponorogo State Islamic University, Indonesia. He had his master's degree in the Department of Technology and Vocational Education, Yogyakarta State University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in 2021. Saat ini beliau sedang menempuh pendidikan Doktor di Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta pada tahun 2024. His research interests include vocational education, architectural and civil engineering education, education assessment and evaluation, technology, vocational education, and TVET curriculum development. He can be contacted at email: rihabwit.daryono@iainponorogo.ac.id
Edi Junaedi is Researcher at National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia. He obtained his Master's Degree from the State Islamic University of Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Indonesia, in the Study of Religion and Society in the Islamic Studies Program (2021). His research is religion and religious traditions, religious relations and harmony between religious communities, and religious services. He can be contacted at email: edij005@brin.go.id
Neneng Habibah is a researcher at the Education Research Center for Social Sciences and Humanities - National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). A complete Bachelor's graduate of the Faculty of Religious Education at the Jakarta State Islamic Institute. Master's degree from Jakarta State University. Experience as a Motivator and community development assistance program in the development of family income improvement in the Pantura region (Bekasi, Karawang, Indramayu, Cirebon) and Kuningan at Non-Governmental Organizations (Bina Desa and or Mitra Karya) in 1986-1994. Her research focuses on the field of Religious Education in formal and non-formal institutions, Schools, Madrasahs, Islamic Boarding Schools, Family and Community Education, Values of Religious Education and Culture. She can be contacted at email: nene011@brin.go.id
Recommended APA Citation
Ghafar, M., An Nahidl, N., A., Thoyib, M., Wit Daryono, R., Junaedi, E., & Habibah, N. (2026). Inclusive education of Indigenous belief communities in Indonesia: Perspective on Independent learning. The Qualitative Report, 31(3), 5310-5338. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2026.7787
