Transformational and Ethical Leadership in Islamic Schools: Strengthening Teachers' Professional Ethics and Religious Character among Generation Z Students at MA Subhanah Subah Batang

Abstract

This study examines the integration of transformational and ethical leadership in strengthening teachers' professional ethics and fostering the religious character of Generation Z students within the Islamic school environment. Employing a qualitative approach with an interpretive single-case study design, the research was conducted at MA Subhanah Subah Batang, Central Java, Indonesia. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, and subsequently analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. The findings reveal that the integration of both leadership styles produces a holistic organizational ecosystem, conceptualized as the "Transformational-Ethical Leadership Based on Uswah (T-EU) Model." This model strengthens teachers' professional ethics through value internalization and multi-layered exemplarity, transcending mere administrative compliance. Furthermore, authentic professional ethics transform into a primary catalyst in shaping the religious character of Generation Z students through the "Transformational-Ethical Exemplarity-Based Religious Character Formation (PKR-KTE) Model," which effectively navigates the challenges of digital disruption and contemporary moral crises. This study provides significant theoretical and practical contributions to the literature on Islamic educational leadership, asserting that value-based leadership is a fundamental prerequisite in responding to the complexities of character education in the modern era.