Higher-Order Thinking Skills in Primary School: Teachers’ Perceptions of Islamic Education

One curriculum policy in countries, including Indonesia, is to provide students with higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) meet the challenges of 21st century, and success doing so closely related competence teachers integrating HOTS learning process. This study investigated implementation Islamic Education (PAI) primary schools Indonesia. employed a case design involving 58 PAI from several West Java, Indonesia regencies. The data were collected by distributing questionnaires short answers followed semi-structured interviews 10 participants. Inductive thematic analysis was carried out identify, evaluate, create themes expressed participants assistance NVivo 12. Triangulation expert review methods used for instrument validation. explored five findings: teacher understanding, teaching resource support, instructional strategies, student knowledge levels. research contributes improving quality HOTS-oriented schools, policymakers can use its findings determining direction HOTS-based curriculum. Policymakers should stress importance increasing mastering concept comprehensively planning, implementation, evaluation. Support various parties optimizing necessity teachers.