DEVELOPMENT OF 21ST CENTURY COMPETENCY-BASED PAI CURRICULUM: A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF CHALLENGES, MODELS, AND RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

This study addresses the urgent need to enhance Islamic Religious Education (IRE) curricula in the 21st century by integrating competencies such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication. Previous studies have highlighted efforts to digitize learning (Handayani, 2025; Ahmad Muflihin, 2025) and integrate digital literacy into PAI (Sujanto et al., 2023; Ma’arif et al., 2024), yet there is limited research systematically analyzing implementation challenges, models, and strategies for curriculum enhancement. This study employed a qualitative literature review using more than 30 scholarly sources, focusing on peer-reviewed journals, Scopus-indexed publications, and relevant DOIs. Data were collected through systematic identification, selection, and coding of relevant studies. Analysis involved thematic synthesis to identify key challenges, successful models, and recommendations for curriculum development. Results reveal that integrating technology in PAI significantly improves student motivation and develops 21st-century skills while emphasizing local cultural adaptation (Aslahudin et al., 2023; Farina, 2024). Furthermore, collaborative approaches among educators and institutions facilitate effective curriculum implementation. This study contributes to conceptual, methodological, and policy frameworks for developing competency-based PAI curricula. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing evaluation, teacher training, and infrastructure support.