Can Educational Leadership Counter Religious Extremism? A Case Study in an Indonesian Context

• In Event: 28.089 - MTCC Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: 28.089-4 - Social Justice Leadership Confronts Extremism

Abstract

There is growing concern that Islamic education in Indonesia promotes extremist ideologies due to terrorists’ affiliations with some Islamic schools. Research shows that leadership influences the education students receive, and that principals have agency to leverage positive change in schools. Consequently, it is imperative to understand the ways Indonesian Islamic school principals lead their schools and students in relation to radicalization and extremism. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore Indonesian Islamic school leaders’ perspectives and behaviours in relation to facilitating, constraining or ignoring the rise of extremism in their schools and communities. Findings suggested that Indonesian school leaders can influence dynamics such as openness, integration and diversity in schools as a means of promoting social cohesion.

Authors

• Jeffrey S. Brooks, RMIT University

• Melanie Carol Brooks, Monash University

• Agus Mutohar, Monash University