The impact of religious moderation in school uniform policies : a mixed-methods analysis on student well-being in Indonesia

Abstract

This study examines how religious moderation is operationalized through school uniform policies and how these policies influence student well-being in Indonesian public senior high schools and vocational schools. Although previous research has explored religious moderation in madrasahs and the politics of hijab regulation, limited studies have integrated religious moderation policy, uniform regulation, and student well-being within a single analytical framework. This study addresses that gap by analysing how inclusive uniform rules shape students’ daily experiences, identity expression, and sense of belonging. A mixed- methods design was employed, combining survey data from 110 students across four schools in West Sumatra and Central Java with qualitative interviews and document analysis. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative responses were coded thematically. The findings show three key results. First, uniform regulations that neither mandate nor prohibit religious attire are widely perceived as supportive, with 99.1 percent of students reporting no disruption to their school activities. Second, 98.2 percent believe that current policies reflect multicultural values, indicating alignment with national religious moderation guidelines. Third, wearing the hijab has become a personal habit for most Muslim female students, suggesting that policy neutrality does not diminish religious identity. These findings demonstrate that inclusive uniform policies strengthen students’ psychological comfort, social cohesion, and cultural respect. The study concludes that schools should maintain flexible uniform regulations and integrate religious moderation principles to promote equitable and harmonious learning environments.