The Integration of Peace Education and Religious Education within Constitutional Law Frameworks: Balancing Autonomy, Pluralism, and Civic Stability in the Indonesian Context

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In pluralistic and democratic states, religious education acts as an indispensable foundation for moral identity, personal ethics, and cultural preservation. However, when faith-based instruction operates in isolation from broader civic realities or adopts exclusivist interpretations, it can inadvertently exacerbate social fragmentation and sectarian tension. Peace education serves as an essential counter-framework, offering pedagogical instruments centered on human rights, active tolerance, intercultural dialogue, and non-violent conflict resolution. By examining constitutional mandates governing freedom of conscience, the fundamental right to education, state neutrality, public order, and democratic protection specifically under the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia (UUD 1945) and Law No.18 of 2019 on Pesantren (Islamic Boarding School), this paper analyzes the legal systems can harmoniously integrate peacebuilding principles into religious curricula. Utilizing a qualitative, normative, and socio-legal methodology, the research demonstrates that embedding critical peace education within both state-run and private religious educational institutions underpinned by robust constitutional guarantees strengthens democratic resilience, protects minority rights, and secures long-term social cohesion. It highlights also that traditional Islamic institutions, like “pesantren” and “madrasah”, naturally embody peace education through indigenous values of moderation (wasathiyah) and tolerance (tasamuh).
KEY WORDS: Peace Education; Islamic Boarding School in Indonesia; Values of Moderation.

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About the Authors: Prof. Dr. Christian Kaunert is Professor of International Security at DCU (Dublin City University), College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. Dr. Ismail Suardi Wekke is Research Fellow at USW (University of South Wales), Llantwit Road, Pontypridd, United Kingdom. Abd Kadir is Head of the Law Department at the Institute of Islamic Religion, Rawa Aopa Konawe Selatan, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Corresponding Authors: christian.kaunert@dcu.ie, iswekke@gmail.com, and Abdkadir123@gmail.com

Suggested Citation: Kaunert, Christian, Ismail Suardi Wekke & Abd Kadir. (2026). “The Integration of Peace Education and Religious Education within Constitutional Law Frameworks: Balancing Autonomy, Pluralism, and Civic Stability in the Indonesian Context” in EDUCARE: International Journal for Educational Studies, Volume 19(1), August, pp.63-84. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Suci Foundation and ASPENSI with ISSN 1979-7877 (print) and ISSN 2621-587X (online).

Article Timeline:Accepted (June 9, 2026); Revised (July 15, 2026); and Published (August 31, 2026).