TEACHERS AS MORAL AGENTS: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE ROLE OF TEACHERS IN STRENGTHENING CHARACTER EDUCATION

Abstract

Character education is one of the main focuses in developing human resources in the 21st century. Amid the challenges of globalization, moral degradation, and technological disruption, teachers are seen as key actors who play a role in transferring knowledge and internalizing ethical values to students. This study aims to review the literature related to the role of teachers in the development of character education in schools. The method used is a qualitative literature study that reviews scientific articles, books, and relevant policy documents, both national and international. Thematic analysis is used to identify the roles, strategies, challenges, and implications of the role of teachers in character education. The study results show that teachers' role in character education is divided into three main dimensions, namely as value educators, role models, and facilitators of the learning environment. The strategies used include the integration of character values in the curriculum, habituation of positive behavior, moral reflection, and creating a supportive school culture. The challenges include limited conceptual understanding of teachers, administrative burden, limited time, and lack of support from parents and the community. This literature review also emphasizes that successful teachers in developing character education consistently show examples, have pedagogical competence, and receive policy and institutional support. These findings align with various theories of moral education, which place teachers as the main role models in shaping students' character. Conceptually, this research strengthens teacher capacity through training, supervision, and collaboration with parents and the community. Practically, the study results can be a reference for schools, policymakers, and educational institutions in designing strategies to strengthen character education that are more effective and contextual. Thus, it can be concluded that the teachers' role is crucial in character education development. Systematic efforts through exemplary learning integration and support of the education ecosystem are key to producing a generation that is intellectually intelligent and has strong moral integrity.