Instilling Religious Tolerance Values at SMP Negeri 1 Angkola Barat, Tapanuli Selatan

This study investigates the instillation of religious tolerance values at SMP Negeri 1 Angkola Barat, Tapanuli Selatan, a school with 435 students (397 Muslims, 38 Christians), reflecting Indonesia’s diverse cultural landscape. Employing a qualitative approach, data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation to explore the school’s strategies and their impact on social harmony. Findings reveal that classroom learning, celebrations of religious holidays such as Maulid Nabi and Easter, and extracurricular activities like scouting and arts foster inclusive cross-faith interactions. Teachers, through narrative discussions and role modeling, reinforce values of respect and empathy. School programs, with 80% participation in mixed-faith groups, have cultivated a harmonious environment, evidenced by zero incidents of intolerance over three years. This research underscores education’s role as a catalyst for social cohesion in multicultural settings, offering a replicable model for other institutions. The limitation of focusing on a single school suggests the need for comparative studies. The findings contribute to global discourse on multicultural education, with implications for educational policies promoting unity.