Cultivating Social and Environmental Awareness through Islamic Religious Education: Insights into Behavioral Transformation among University Students

EDUKASIA: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Islam
Vol 20, No 1 (2025): EDUKASIA

The gap between value-based education and its real-world impact on students’ social and environmental engagement remains a pressing issue in higher education. This study examines whether Islamic Religious Education (PAI) effectively enhances students social awareness and environmental responsibility. Employing a quantitative comparative survey, the research involved 214 university students from five Central Java institutions who had completed the PAI course. Results showed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) in students’ awareness of social issues (Z = -6.842), environmental cleanliness (Z = -6.188), and involvement in social activities (Z = -2.697) after taking the course. These findings highlight the positive influence of PAI in shaping socio-environmental attitudes and suggest the need to integrate contemporary social and ecological issues into curriculum to maximize its transformative impact.