Enhancing Academic and Religious Values through Literacy: An Ethnographic Qualitative Study in a Hindu Student Community

This study explores the influence of Indonesia's school literacy initiative program, also known as the school literacy movement (SLM), on academic achievement and religious character formation among Hindu students at Bali Mandara State High School. The SLM’s effects within Bali’s predominantly Hindu community provide a perspective on how literacy initiatives intersect with cultural and religious education in a largely Muslim country. The objective of the study was to assess the transformative impact of the SLM on both educational outcomes and character development, specifically examining its alignment with Hindu teachings. A qualitative approach was employed, with data collected through semi-structured interviews and document analysis of school records, literacy journals, and curriculum materials. This study employed descriptive analysis with the following stages: data reduction, data presentation, conclusion drawing, and verification. The research found that the SLM’s structured stages (habitual, development, and learning) significantly enhanced students’ literacy skills while fostering Hindu values such as respect, harmony, and integrity. Activities such as silent reading and journal writing strengthened students' engagement with Hindu principles, such as Tri Hita Karana. It promotes harmony with God, others, and the environment. Thus, the SLM affects both academic success and the cultivation of religious character.