IMPLEMENTATION OF FRIDAY-SATURDAY ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOL ACTIVITIES IN DEVELOPING RELIGIOUS CHARACTER AND COGNITIVE ABILITIES OF GRADE 9 STUDENTS

Objective:  This study analyzes the implementation, implications, and supporting and inhibiting factors of the Friday-Saturday Islamic boarding school activities in developing the religious character and cognitive abilities of Grade 9 students at SMP Muhammadiyah 1 Jombang. Method: The study used a qualitative case-study approach. The researcher acted as the main instrument. Primary data were obtained from the school, the program coordinator, teachers, and students, while secondary data came from books, journals, documentation, articles, and theses. Data were collected through observation, structured interviews, and documentation, then analyzed through data collection, reduction, data display, verification, and conclusion drawing. Results: Program implementation was supported by meetings, teacher duty allocation, a clear work program, activity schedules, and intensive religious and learning activities. The program supported students' ability to perform tahajjud prayer independently, understand hadith, increase memorization, participate in congregational prayer with discipline, answer questions independently without using mobile phones, and present discussion results clearly. Supporting factors included clear programming, teacher involvement, student enthusiasm, religious atmosphere, and facilities, while the main reported obstacle was difficulty waking for tahajjud because students were not accustomed to it. Novelty: The study documents a school-based, short residential pesantren model in a non-boarding junior high school that combines religious habituation with discussion and presentation activities to develop religious character and cognitive abilities simultaneously.