STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DA’WAH IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN MANJUNG DISTRICT
Kepimpinan Strategik dalam Pengurusan Dakwah di Sekolah-Sekolah Rendah Daerah Manjung
Abstract
Strategic leadership plays a pivotal role in enhancing the management of da’wah initiatives in primary schools. In the Malaysian context, the successful implementation of a comprehensive and sustainable da’wah programme largely depends on the capacity of school principals and da’wah coordinators to integrate Islamic values into the school culture. However, several challenges hinder the effective execution of these programmes, including resource limitations, contextual variations among schools, and differing levels of community support. This study adopts a qualitative research design using a case study approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eight informants—comprising four principals and four da’wah coordinators—from selected primary schools in Manjung District. Thematic analysis, conducted using NVivo software, revealed three core themes: (1) clarity of vision, collaboration, and strategic planning; (2) the influence of leadership on school culture, student engagement, and programme sustainability; and (3) the need for professional training, standardised modules, adequate resources, and robust community networks. The findings indicate that strategic leadership significantly contributes to the transformation of school culture, enhances student participation in spiritual programmes, and sustains consistent da’wah practices. Nevertheless, the study also identified major limitations such as insufficient training opportunities and the absence of a standardised da’wah framework. Based on these insights, it is recommended that the Ministry of Education Malaysia reinforce strategic leadership training and formulate a flexible, standardised da’wah framework tailored to diverse school contexts. In addition, the active participation of external community stakeholders, the empowerment of young teachers and students, and systematic monitoring are proposed as essential strategies to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of holistic da’wah management in schools.
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