Synergizing Schools and Parents in Implementing the Nine Pillars of Character-Based Holistic Education to Enhance Students’ Moral and Social Competence

This study explores the collaborative roles of schools and parents in implementing the Nine Pillars of Character-Based Holistic Education to develop students’ moral and social competence in early childhood education. Holistic education is not confined to academic achievement but also emphasizes the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor dimensions that shape children’s overall personality. The research was conducted in a PAUD institution in West Surabaya using a qualitative case study approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with educators and parents as well as participatory observations of classroom activities. The findings reveal that the integration of character values is most effective when supported by joint efforts of teachers and parents through formal learning, habituation activities, daily routines, role modeling, and cooperative play. A supportive learning environment that bridges school and family contexts plays a crucial role in reinforcing these values. Nevertheless, several challenges were identified, including limited teacher understanding of holistic approaches, insufficient facilities, inconsistent parental engagement, and the strong influence of digital media on children’s behavior. Reflection on these challenges highlights the need for strengthening teacher capacity, enhancing parental involvement, and embedding character values more systematically into both school and home practices. The study concludes that the Nine Pillars of Character, when collaboratively nurtured by schools and families, provide a strong foundation for fostering moral integrity and social responsibility in early childhood, thereby preparing a generation that is intellectually capable, socially empathetic, and morally resilient.