Govt backs program of 'pesantren kilat'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): With full government support, the Indonesian
\nUlema Council (MUI) is launching a nationwide crash course on
\nreligion modeled on pesantren (Moslem boarding school) at state
\nschools in major cities during this coming school holiday.<\/p>\n
The national pesantren kilat program is seen as an effective
\nway of instilling religious teachings and values among youngsters
\nto counter the rising juvenile delinquency in big cities, MUI
\nchairman Hasan Basri told reporters.<\/p>\n
\"The President is most concerned about the state of our young
\ngeneration, seeing the mass brawls and killings that have
\noccurred in Jakarta and other big cities,\" he said after briefing
\nthe President about the program at Merdeka Palace.<\/p>\n
\"The President came to the conclusion that this was mainly
\nbecause of lack of religious education,\" said Hasan, who was
\naccompanied by Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher and
\nMinister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro.<\/p>\n
A number of private organizations, including private schools,
\nhave already run pesantren kilat which help children fill their
\ntime during the long school holidays. But this is the first time
\nthat the concept is being applied at state schools.<\/p>\n
The program will be launched simultaneously on June 17 and
\nwill last for one week. It is designed for Moslem pupils of fifth
\ngrade of elementary school and second graders of junior and
\nsenior high schools. Participation is voluntary.<\/p>\n
MUI will provide teachers to work with teachers of state
\nschools that administer the program.<\/p>\n
The program this year will only be introduced in provincial
\ncapitals and one or two regency towns. If successful, it will be
\nexpanded to other towns next year.<\/p>\n
The program will not teach youngsters solely about their faith
\nbut it will also instill a sense of \"togetherness\" as students
\nwill spend the whole week together -- sleeping, dining, learning,
\nreciting the Koran and holding discussions, Hasan said.<\/p>\n
He explained that religious education is only taught for 2.5
\nhours a week under the current national education curriculum and
\nthis is hardly sufficient. \"It is not sufficient to study
\nreligion. You also have to understand it and practice it,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Minister Tarmizi said the pesantren kilat program is the
\nequivalent of Christian's Sunday school.<\/p>\n
Minister Wardiman said the program is to give every youngster
\na taste of pesantren at least once in their life. (emb)<\/p>",
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