<![CDATA[Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) in Indonesia play a significant role not only in religious education but also in developing students’ practical competencies and character to respond to changing social and economic demands. This study examines the potential implementation of cooperative-based education in pesantren and its contribution to students’ skill development and character formation. A qualitative approach was employed through a literature review and analysis of selected case studies concerning the implementation and management of cooperatives in Indonesian pesantren. The findings indicate that cooperatives can function beyond their conventional economic role as experiential learning environments that integrate entrepreneurship, financial literacy, leadership, teamwork, responsibility, and decision-making into students’ everyday learning experiences. Participation in cooperative activities also contributes to the development of character values, including independence, discipline, mutual cooperation, and social responsibility. The novelty of this study lies in conceptualizing pesantren cooperatives as an integrated educational ecosystem rather than merely as economic institutions, thereby linking cooperative management, experiential learning, skills development, and character education within a single educational framework. The analysis further indicates that this potential depends on effective management, meaningful student participation, institutional support, and systematic integration with the formal curriculum. Therefore, strengthening collaboration between pesantren and cooperatives and developing a contextual, competency-oriented curriculum are recommended to enhance students’ readiness for further education, employment, entrepreneurship, and participation in community life. This study contributes a conceptual perspective for repositioning pesantren cooperatives as strategic instruments for holistic student development.]]>
