EXPLORING THE TEACHERS’ CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING CHARACTER BUILDING AT SCHOOLS

Abstract

Comparing to a parent, a sibling, a friend, teachers have been considered the most influential and life-changing role model for learners these days. Thus schools and other educational institutions currently adopt the character building concept into their curriculum.  Shortly, the proliferation and great demand for character education at all level of education simultaneously increase. Unfortunately, applying the idea has led to challenges for the teachers to some extent. This study investigated the teachers’ challenges in the way of implementing character building at schools in Bireuen, Aceh, Indonesia. 15 teachers of different schools participated in this research. Several questions of the interview were addressed to find out the actual issue of the respondents’ challenges on the matter. The information was further analyzed through descriptive analysis. The findings showed diversities of answers comprising the responses on the meaning of the character itself, the socialization of intended character scopes, and the evaluation and assessment tool of the initiatives. The lack of teaching strategy on character building has also given a crucial impact on the successful implementation of the initiative.

Keywords: Character, Character Building, Teachers’ Challenges