Adaptation of Islamic Boarding Schools to the Changing Times: A Comparative Study of Curriculum Modernization

This study aims to analyze the process of curriculum modernization of the Ummi Kalsum Islamic Boarding School and the Hidayatullah Islamic Boarding School in the city of Gunungsitoli, and to assess its impact on the development of Islamic education in the region. The data was collected using qualitative methods, including observation, in-depth interviews with supervisors, teachers, and students, and documentation of the applied formal curriculum. The results of the study show that the Ummi Kalsum Islamic Boarding School emphasizes the integration of the national curriculum (Merdeka Curriculum) with the Salafist curriculum. In contrast, the Hidayatullah Islamic Boarding School applies a unique integrated curriculum system that combines religious education with professional skills such as organic agriculture and information technology. Specific differences can be seen in the structure of learning time, the subjects taught together, and the role of teachers in promoting pupil innovation. Examples of innovative activities include the Student Entrepreneurship Program at Hidayatullah and digital literacy courses at Ummi Kalsum. This modernization of the curriculum not only improves the quality of graduates but also opens up the possibility for Islamic boarding schools to adapt to today's demands without losing their Islamic identity. These results show that the modernization of the curriculum in the Gunungsitoli Islamic boarding school has practical implications for strengthening the role of the Islamic boarding school as a relevant, contextual, and competitive Islamic education center.