INCLUSIVE COLLABORATIVE TRAINING TO IMPROVE PESANTREN CAREGIVERS’ COMPETENCE THROUGH AN ANDRAGOGICAL APPROACH

Abstract

This study explores the lived experiences of pesantren caregivers and educators in implementing inclusive education and examines the development of their competencies through an andragogical approach. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological design to understand caregivers’ experiences, challenges, and educational practices in three pesantren in Pasir Kuda Sub-district, Cianjur Regency: Darul Huda Pesantren, Nurul Fukoha Pesantren, and Annidhomiah Pesantren. Participants were selected purposively and consisted of pesantren caregivers and educators who were directly involved in educational activities. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, and documentation studies. The data were analyzed through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings indicate that caregivers’ competencies remain uneven across pedagogical, personality, professional, social, managerial, spiritual, and technological dimensions. Major challenges include limited understanding of inclusive education, insufficient capacity to adapt curricula to diverse learner needs, limited technological competence, inadequate infrastructure, and persistent social stigma toward students with special educational needs. The findings further demonstrate that conventional training approaches are insufficient to address these contextual challenges. An andragogical and collaborative training model is therefore needed to integrate caregivers’ experiences, contextual problem-solving, peer learning, and institutional collaboration. The proposed Inclusive Collaborative Training (KOLIN) model provides a potential framework for strengthening caregivers’ comprehensive competencies and supporting the transformation of pesantren into more inclusive, adaptive, collaborative, and learner-responsive educational environments.