Abstract
This study aims to analyse the compassionate learning approach to strengthen students' anti-bullying character in pesantren-based madrasahs. The study is conducted at Islamic Elementary School/Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MI) Tarbiyatul Banin Pekalongan Winong Pati, Indonesia, a pesantren-based madrasah that utilizes a compassionate learning approach. This research employs a qualitative approach using a case study. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with the madrasah principal and teachers, measurement of students' levels of compassion through questionnaires, direct observation, and relevant documentation. Miles and Huberman's interactive data analysis was applied through stages including data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results indicate that compassion is employed as a learning approach in the madrasah, albeit without a written policy. This approach is reinforced by the madrasah environment that fosters compassion, the integration of compassionate values into learning, and students' empathetic behavior. Compassion-based learning can enhance anti-bullying character traits, as evidenced by 96% of students exhibiting positive empathy, 64% displaying high moral courage, and 84% demonstrating high social awareness. Based on the research findings, schools or madrasahs should develop a design for a compassionate learning environment to bolster students' positive character traits.