Harmony Philosophy: International Journal of Islamic Religious Studies and Sharia E-ISSN: 3063-5357 Research Article Effective Strategies in Formulating Educational Objectives to Achieve the Vision and Mission of Institutions at the Madrasah Aliyah Level in the Riau Islands Zamsiswaya1*. Syawaludin2. Nunung Witono3. Juni Mahanis4 Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau. Indonesia, drzamsiswaya@gmail. Institut Agama Islam Rokan. Indonesia, regarsawaluddin@gmail. Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau. Indonesia, nunungwitono1980@gmail. Institut Agama Islam Hidayatullah Batam. Indonesia. junimahanis1@gmail. *Corresponding Author : Zamsiswaya Abstract: The precise and effective formulation of educational objectives is crucial in realizing the vision and mission of educational institutions, especially at the Madrasah Aliyah level, which plays an important role in shaping students' character and competencies based on Islamic values. However, in practice, a gap still exists between the formulation of educational objectives and the achievement of the institutionAos vision and mission, which impacts the quality of learning and educational management. This study aims to identify and analyze effective strategies implemented by Madrasah Aliyah in formulating educational objectives that align with the institutionAos vision and mission. The research method used is qualitative descriptive with a case study approach, involving principals, teachers, and curriculum development teams as research subjects. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and analysis of educational planning documents. The results show that effective strategies include a participatory approach involving all stakeholders, the use of continuous evaluation as a basis for formulating objectives, and the integration of Islamic values that strengthen character education orientation. The alignment between educational objectives and the institutionAos vision and mission has also been proven to enhance the effectiveness of learning program implementation and the achievement of both academic and non-academic student accomplishments. In conclusion, strategic and value-oriented formulation of educational objectives is a key factor in achieving the vision and mission of Madrasah Aliyah, thus requiring the strengthening of managerial capacity and a sustainable evaluation system. Received: April 21, 2025 Revised: May 06, 2025 Accepted: May 20, 2025 Published: May 22, 2025 Curr. Ver. : May 22, 2025 Copyright: A 2025 by the authors. Submitted for possible open access publication under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY SA) license . ttps://creativecommons. org/li censes/by-sa/4. Keywords: Educational Management. Institutional Vision. Mission. Introduction The formulation of educational objectives is a strategic step that is very important in bridging the vision and mission of educational institutions with real practice in the field. the Madrasah Aliyah level, especially in the Riau Islands region, the formulation of educational objectives is expected to guide effective learning management oriented toward developing students' character and competence in accordance with Islamic values. However, in reality, many educational institutions in this region experience a gap between the idealized educational objectives and their implementation, which impacts the low achievement of the institutionAos vision and mission (L. Nurhayati & Rosyadi, n. This problem is caused by a lack of appropriate strategies in formulating educational objectives, minimal stakeholder involvement, and insufficient continuous evaluation that can improve and adjust the objectives according to the dynamics of the educational environment (N. Nurhayati & Rosadi. DOI : https://doi. org/10. 62951/ijer. https://international. id/index. php/IJER Harmony Philosophy: International Journal of Islamic Religious Studies and Sharia 2025 (Ma. , vol. 2, no. Zamsiswaya, et al. 12 of 18 Theoretically, the formulation of educational objectives must refer to the principles of strategic management that emphasize the importance of context analysis, stakeholder participation, and synchronization between objectives, vision, and mission. Furthermore, in the context of Madrasah Aliyah, which is characterized by Islamic education, the integration of Islamic values into educational objectives is an indispensable aspect to ensure that education develops not only academically but also spiritually (Zulfa & Nugraha, 2. The literature review shows that Purwanti et al. emphasized the importance of participatory strategies in formulating educational objectives to improve the relevance and effectiveness of implementation at the secondary school level (Purwanti. Kusuma, & Sari. Hasanah et al. highlighted the need for continuous evaluation so that educational objectives remain adaptive to environmental changes and student needs in madrasahs (Hasanah. Sandy. Mannan, & Nasucha, 2. Meanwhile. Wibowo et al. showed that the incorporation of Islamic values in educational objectives strengthens the culture and character of Madrasah Aliyah students. (Wibowo & Subhan, 2. However, these studies have not specifically examined the context of Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands, which has unique socio-cultural and geographical characteristics as well as specific challenges in educational This study seeks to fill this gap by focusing on identifying effective strategies in formulating educational objectives that align with the vision and mission of Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands. The uniqueness of this research lies in the contextual approach that integrates local cultural values of the Riau Islands and Islamic values in the strategy of formulating objectives, as well as emphasizing active stakeholder participation and continuous This research is important because the improper and ineffective formulation of educational objectives will hinder the achievement of the institutionAos vision and mission, ultimately impacting the quality of education and student character. The hypothesis proposed is that the application of participatory, evaluative, and locally and Islamically oriented objective formulation strategies will increase alignment between objectives and the vision and mission of Madrasah Aliyah, thereby supporting comprehensive improvement in educational Thus, this research is expected to provide practical contributions for the managers of Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands in formulating more effective educational objectives, as well as enrich the literature on Islamic educational management in an archipelagic region with distinctive socio-cultural characteristics. Preliminaries or Related Work or Literature Review The formulation of educational objectives is a crucial aspect that determines the direction of achieving the vision and mission of an educational institution. In the context of Madrasah Aliyah, educational objectives must not only comply with national standards but also integrate Islamic values as a distinctive feature of the institution. The strategy in formulating educational objectives becomes a determining factor for the effectiveness of educational outcomes, both in terms of academic achievement and student character According to Nurhadi, a participatory strategy in formulating educational objectives enhances the alignment between the objectives and the institutionAos vision and mission by involving various stakeholders such as principals, teachers, school committees, and parents. This participation enriches perspectives and ensures that the formulated objectives are relevant to the real needs and conditions of the institution and its environment. This aligns with MintzbergAos strategic management theory, which emphasizes the importance of involving key actors in the strategic planning process to produce realistic and implementable objectives (Nurhadi, 2. Research by Hasanah et al. on Madrasah Tsanawiyah shows that a lack of continuous evaluation of educational objectives results in low achievement of the institutionAos vision and Therefore, routine and systematic evaluation becomes an essential part of the strategy to formulate objectives that can adapt to the internal and external dynamics of educational institutions. This evaluation also serves as feedback for the improvement of subsequent objective formulation (Hasanah et al. , 2. Furthermore. Wibowo et al. affirm that the integration of Islamic values in the formulation of educational objectives not only strengthens the identity of Madrasah Aliyah but also supports the development of studentsAo noble character. The incorporation of spiritual Harmony Philosophy: International Journal of Islamic Religious Studies and Sharia 2025 (Ma. , vol. 2, no. Zamsiswaya, et al. 13 of 18 aspects into educational objectives requires a special strategy that harmonizes religious values with modern academic demands, making education holistic and contextual (Wibowo & Subhan, 2. Nevertheless, these studies have not explicitly examined effective strategies in the context of Madrasah Aliyah as a unique level of senior secondary education. This study aims to fill that gap by investigating in depth how Madrasah Aliyah strategically formulates educational objectives to achieve its vision and mission, focusing on stakeholder participation, continuous evaluation, and the integration of Islamic values. Proposed Method This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study method to gain an in-depth understanding of effective strategies in formulating educational objectives at Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands region (Sugiyono, 2. This approach was chosen because it allows for a contextual and comprehensive exploration of the educational planning process in institutions with unique characteristics (Creswell, 2. The research subjects consisted of principals, senior teachers, and members of the curriculum development team from three Madrasah Aliyah selected purposively based on regional representation and institutional readiness for the study. Informants were chosen because of their direct roles in the process of formulating educational objectives. The research procedure began with obtaining permission and coordinating with the madrasah authorities. Data collection was then conducted through semi-structured interviews that explored strategies for formulating objectives, stakeholder involvement, and encountered In addition, observations of the planning process and analysis of official institutional documents such as vision, mission, and educational objectives were carried out (Moleong, 2. The research instruments included interview guidelines developed based on the theoretical framework of strategic management and Islamic education, observation sheets, and document analysis checklists. Data validity was maintained through source and method triangulation techniques (Patton, 2. Data collection was conducted gradually over three months, with interview recordings transcribed for in-depth analysis. The data analysis technique refers to the Miles and Huberman model, namely data reduction, data display, and conclusion verification, to identify effective patterns of objective formulation strategies as well as supporting and inhibiting factors in the context of Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands (Miles & Huberman, 1. Results and Discussion Strategies Found in Formulating Educational Objectives to Achieve the Vision and Mission of Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands The formulation of educational objectives is a crucial foundation in achieving the vision and mission of an educational institution. At Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands, several effective strategies have been found that significantly contribute to the quality of objective One of the main strategies is the application of a participatory pattern in the process of formulating objectives, involving various stakeholders such as principals, teachers, school committees, even students and parents. This participatory approach aims to ensure that the formulation of educational objectives is not solely based on unilateral decisions from management . op-dow. but also reflects the real needs, expectations, and conditions in the Involving many parties enriches perspectives and minimizes the risk of mismatch between objectives and the institutionAos vision and mission (Budio, 2. Conversely, the top-down formulation pattern, which relies on a single decision from leadership without involving other stakeholders comprehensively, often results in educational objectives that are less contextual and difficult to implement. Nevertheless, the top-down pattern is sometimes necessary in emergency situations or when decisions need to be made However, studies in the Riau Islands show that Madrasah Aliyah that prioritizes a participatory pattern is more successful in achieving alignment between objectives and vision and mission, as well as enhancing the commitment of the entire academic community in implementing educational programs (Calam & Qurniati, 2. Besides the formulation pattern, another effective strategy found is the use of evaluation data from previous years as a basis for formulating educational objectives. This data includes academic achievement results, program evaluation reports, and feedback from various parties. Utilizing this data allows Madrasah Aliyah to conduct critical reflection and develop objectives Harmony Philosophy: International Journal of Islamic Religious Studies and Sharia 2025 (Ma. , vol. 2, no. Zamsiswaya, et al. 14 of 18 that are more realistic, measurable, and responsive to developments and challenges faced. Thus, educational objectives are not just static documents but dynamic instruments that are continuously updated according to needs (Baidowi, 2. The integration of Islamic values in the formulation of educational objectives is also an essential strategy at Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands. As an Islamic-based educational institution, instilling religious values is a primary aspect that cannot be separated from educational objectives. Values such as noble character, faith, and social concern are made the main framework in formulating holistic objectives oriented towards character building of This integration ensures that educational objectives focus not only on academic achievement but also on forming personalities with morals in accordance with Islamic This strategy is combined with the utilization of learning methods and assessments that support the strengthening of Islamic values, such as character-based learning and local content relevant to the culture of the Riau Islands. This creates synergy among cognitive, affective, and psychomotor aspects in learning, so that the formulated educational objectives truly reflect local identity and needs while meeting national education standards. Another finding supporting the effectiveness of objective formulation strategies is the importance of open communication and continuous coordination among stakeholders. Discussion forums, coordination meetings, and workshops serve as means to align perceptions and consolidate commitments to the formulated objectives. This communication strategy helps overcome implementation obstacles and ensures that educational objectives can be used as clear and mutually understood guidelines. In addition, the use of information technology in data collection and evaluation analysis also supports the effectiveness of objective formulation strategies. Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands that utilize educational management information systems can easily access historical and real-time data, accelerate analysis processes, and improve the accuracy of objective formulation. This also strengthens the system of continuous monitoring and Overall, effective strategies in formulating educational objectives at Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands include an inclusive participatory pattern, utilization of evaluation data as a reflective basis, strong integration of Islamic values, intensive communication among stakeholders, and support from information technology. The combination of these strategies not only improves the quality of educational objectives but also ensures alignment with the institutionAos vision and mission, thereby contributing to the sustainable improvement of educational quality. Alignment of Educational Objectives with the Vision and Mission of Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands The alignment between educational objectives and the institutionAos vision and mission is a primary indicator of the success of strategic educational planning. At Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands, the operational objectives formulated should be a concrete embodiment of the institutionAos vision and mission, which have been established as common directions and However, research finds that this alignment is not always optimal. Some Madrasah Aliyah present educational objectives that are very general and unfocused, making it difficult to accommodate all aspects of the vision and mission holistically (Anam, 2. In several cases, contradictions are found between the formulated educational objectives and the ideal vision of the institution. For example, the vision emphasizes character development based on Islamic values, while the operational objectives focus more on academic achievement alone without clear indicators related to character building or spiritual This condition shows a mismatch that could hinder the implementation of programs and the overall achievement of the vision. Further analysis shows that the level of alignment between objectives and vision is influenced by the formulation process. Madrasah Aliyah that apply a participatory approach tend to produce objective formulations that better represent the vision and mission. The involvement of teachers, principals, and school committees allows various aspects of the vision to be well accommodated in operational objectives, whether related to academic, character, or spiritual aspects. Moreover, the use of previous evaluation data is an important factor in revising and refining educational objectives to align with the vision and mission. Madrasahs that actively evaluate and adjust educational objectives based on prior achievements and obstacles are able to tailor the formulations to more effectively represent the institutionAos vision. This Harmony Philosophy: International Journal of Islamic Religious Studies and Sharia 2025 (Ma. , vol. 2, no. Zamsiswaya, et al. 15 of 18 emphasizes that educational objectives are dynamic instruments that must be continually aligned with the vision and mission periodically. The strengthening of alignment between objectives and vision-mission is also reinforced by the integration of Islamic values, which are a hallmark of Madrasah Aliyah. A vision oriented toward Islamic character building is internalized into operational objectives through the inclusion of spiritual values and noble morals measured concretely. Thus, the objectives are not only academic achievement targets but also personality and moral development goals for students. However, a challenge found is the lack of comprehensive understanding among educational staff about the institutionAos vision and mission, so that the formulated objectives are not always consistent with these aspirations. This indicates the need for ongoing socialization and training regarding the vision, mission, and educational objectives so that all parties have the same understanding and strong commitment. The use of information technology in monitoring and evaluating educational objectives also helps ensure continuous Educational management information systems enable Madrasah Aliyah administrators to monitor objective achievements relative to vision and mission in real time, facilitating quick and precise revisions and adjustments. Overall, strategies that prioritize stakeholder participation, continuous evaluation, and integration of Islamic values have proven effective in improving the alignment of educational objectives with the vision and mission of Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands. This alignment is an absolute prerequisite for realizing educational institutions that are quality-driven and highly competitive at both national and international levels. Effectiveness of Strategies in Formulating Educational Objectives at Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands The effectiveness of strategies for formulating educational objectives at Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands can be measured through several key indicators, namely academic achievement, student character development, and success in meeting national accreditation Academic indicators include average national exam scores, academic competition achievements, and student graduation rates. Meanwhile, character indicators cover the development of religious attitudes, discipline, and social engagement, assessed through teacher observations and evaluations. School accreditation serves as a formal indicator reflecting the overall quality of education and the alignment between the institutionAos objectives, vision, and mission (Lestari, 2. Research shows that Madrasah Aliyah implementing a participatory strategy in formulating educational objectives tend to demonstrate better academic and character achievements compared to those using a top-down strategy. Active involvement of teachers, principals, and other stakeholders allows for the formulation of realistic and needs-based objectives, enabling effective program implementation. As a result, educational objectives become not merely formal documents but operational guidelines that direct learning activities and student character development. However, several obstacles hinder the effectiveness of this strategy. The main challenges include limited human resources competent in strategic planning and educational Many Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands face difficulties due to a lack of training for principals and teachers in strategic management-based objective formulation. Additionally, limited budgets and facilities also affect the implementation of formulated objectives, especially in character development aspects that require extracurricular activities and spiritual guidance. Solutions implemented to overcome these challenges include capacity building through educational management training and workshops on objective formulation oriented toward the vision and mission. Collaboration with government agencies and religious organizations is also an important strategy to support funding and strengthen character-building programs. The application of information technology as a tool for data management and monitoring also helps improve the effectiveness of evaluation and periodic revision of educational Moreover, the implementation of systematic continuous evaluation is key to ensuring that formulated objectives remain relevant and achievable. This evaluation process involves collecting data on academic and character achievements of students, as well as feedback from stakeholders, which are then used as a basis for improving educational objectives. With continuous evaluation. Madrasah Aliyah can anticipate changes in conditions and student needs in a timely manner. Harmony Philosophy: International Journal of Islamic Religious Studies and Sharia 2025 (Ma. , vol. 2, no. Zamsiswaya, et al. 16 of 18 The leadership role of the principal is crucial in optimizing the strategy for formulating educational objectives. Visionary and communicative principals are able to mobilize all institutional components to synergize in achieving the set objectives. Effective leadership also facilitates the strengthening of Islamic values, which are a hallmark of Madrasah Aliyah, while ensuring the integration between academic and character objectives in learning Overall, the strategy of formulating educational objectives at Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands, which emphasizes stakeholder participation, continuous evaluation, and capacity building, has proven effective in achieving the institutionAos vision and mission. Despite various obstacles, innovative and collaborative solutions have successfully overcome these challenges so that educational objectives can be realized optimally. Effective Strategy Model in Formulating Educational Objectives at Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands The effective formulation of educational objectives must be based on a conceptual model that synergistically integrates the vision, objectives, and curriculum. This model aims to align the institutionAos strategic aspirations . , the operational targets to be achieved . , and the design of the learning process . so that all educational elements move consistently and sustainably in one direction. This synergy forms the foundation for Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands to realize educational quality that reflects local characteristics while meeting national and international standards. The educational vision, as an ideal depiction of the institutionAos future, must be translated into specific, measurable, and relevant educational objectives. These educational objectives are then realized in an adaptive and responsive curriculum that meets the needs of learners and developments in knowledge. This model encourages collaboration among stakeholders such as principals, teachers, school committees, and the community, making educational planning inclusive and holistic (Hadi & Sovitriana, 2. In the QurAoan. Allah SWT says: aoacEEa a aIEa aE eaIa aO a eaOEaNaa aO eE aIe II eaOIa aO aa a eacOIa EOa EaIaa eEaOeaa aOE ac aNaOaIa a aE eaIa aIa aE eI aeaIaa e aIEa eOIA aa aAOa aOA a aOCaEaa e aIEa eOa "And say, 'Do . s you wil. , for Allah will see your deeds, and . o wil. His Messenger and the '" (Qur'an. Surah At-Tawbah: . (Ri, 2. This verse teaches the importance of earnest and consistent effort in carrying out trust and responsibility, which in the context of education means that principals and curriculum teams must seriously and structurally formulate and implement educational objectives. The use of a synergy-based conceptual model also emphasizes continuous evaluation as a quality control mechanism. Systematic monitoring and evaluation enable principals and curriculum development teams to measure the extent to which objectives are achieved and to make improvements if necessary. This evaluation process also serves to maintain the continuity between vision, objectives, and curriculum to remain relevant amidst the dynamics of social and technological changes. (Magdalena. Septiarini, & Nurhaliza, 2. An implementable suggestion for principals is to develop visionary and communicative leadership capacities. Principals need to be facilitators who encourage the active participation of all teachers and staff in the process of formulating objectives and developing the With effective communication, all parties will have the same understanding and commitment to the institutionAos vision and mission. Curriculum development teams should adopt a holistic approach that integrates cognitive, affective, and psychomotor aspects in learning design. The curriculum must include Islamic values and local wisdom of the Riau Islands so that education is not only oriented toward academic achievement but also character formation and cultural identity. Another relevant verse from the QurAoan is: a e aAIaae aNA AeE eIN aia EEa eEA eaOa eaO aaeA ae AOaIA ae AAE aaEa aN eaIa aIae A AIEaOaEA a AoIacaaEacOeIa aII eaOa aOA "Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - for them are gardens beneath which rivers " (QurAoan. Surah Al-Buruj: . (Kementrian Agama, 2. This verse emphasizes the importance of righteous deeds, which in education is interpreted as a comprehensive effort to develop students holistically in accordance with Islamic values. An effective curriculum must support the creation of such "righteous deeds" within the students. Harmony Philosophy: International Journal of Islamic Religious Studies and Sharia 2025 (Ma. , vol. 2, no. Zamsiswaya, et al. 17 of 18 The utilization of information technology is also highly recommended in this model to support data collection, the implementation of learning, and the evaluation of goal Principals and curriculum teams can use educational management information systems for real-time monitoring and reporting so that strategic adjustments can be made quickly and accurately. Furthermore, strengthening the synergy between vision, objectives, and curriculum needs to be supported by continuous training for principals and teachers. Competence in strategic planning, teaching methodology, and learning outcome evaluation must be continuously developed so that the proposed strategic model can be optimally implemented and adaptively respond to changes. By implementing this synergy-based effective strategy model. Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands can optimize the formulation and realization of educational objectives that not only meet academic standards but also strengthen Islamic character and local culture. This also becomes a tangible contribution to the development of quality Islamic education that is relevant to global challenges. Conclusions This study concludes that an effective strategy for formulating educational objectives at Madrasah Aliyah in the Riau Islands must be based on a strong synergy between the vision, objectives, and curriculum, developed through a participatory process involving principals, teachers, school committees, and other stakeholders. This strategy strengthens the relevance and achievement of objectives with the institutionAos vision and mission, ensuring that the entire educational process runs in a directed and consistent manner. The use of evaluation data from previous years is crucial for improving and refining the formulation of objectives to be responsive to changing student needs and local socio-cultural dynamics. The integration of Islamic values and local culture forms the foundation for building student character, so education is not only oriented toward academic achievement but also the development of noble personality. Challenges such as limited resources, lack of staff understanding of the vision, and facility constraints can be overcome through capacity building via training and mentoring, as well as optimizing information technology for continuous monitoring and evaluation. strategic leaders, principals need to encourage effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders to maintain shared commitment. It is also recommended that curriculum development teams create holistic and contextual learning models suited to the characteristics of students in the Riau Islands. By implementing this strategy. Madrasah Aliyah can comprehensively and sustainably improve the quality of education and become a leading educational institution capable of competing at national and international levels, while strengthening Islamic values and local culture. References