`Pesantren' begin to modernize education system<\/p>\n
By Riyadi<\/p>\n
WONOSOBO, Central Java (JP): Islamic boarding schools, locally
\nknown as pesantren, are being compelled to review their current
\neducational system, as Indonesia is shifting from an agricultural
\nculture to an industrial nation.<\/p>\n
A number of observers have expressed doubts that pesantren,
\nespecially the traditional ones, will be able to survive in
\nmodern times, as such institutions tend to be seclusive and to
\nreject outside influences.<\/p>\n
However, some schools have been responsive enough to the
\nchanges to adapt their educational system to society's demands
\nand to expand their educational services. Some have even opened
\npublic schools in addition to their religious institutions.<\/p>\n
Gontor Pesantren in East Java is one of them. It offers
\nvocational training and incorporates English as one of its main
\nsubjects in addition to its religious instruction. As many
\nconsider Gontor's reform successful, the school has become a
\nmodel.<\/p>\n
A number of schools are now following Gontor's approach to
\nmodernizing their educational and management systems.<\/p>\n
Last Sunday, in the scenic village of Kalibeber in Wonosobo,
\nCentral Java, leaders of almost 200 boarding schools in Java and
\nMadura gathered and formed the Association of Koran Pesantren
\n(HPA).<\/p>\n
One of its principle targets is to establish schools that can
\ncope with Moslems' backwardness in science and technology.<\/p>\n
In coordination with the Association of Indonesian Moslem
\nIntellectuals (ICMI), the new association will establish
\nvocational pesantren in a number of provinces.<\/p>\n
After the signing of an agreement between HPA and ICMI, Ali
\nMustafa Trajutisna of the Center for Society Participation said
\nHPA will establish seven vocational boarding schools this year.<\/p>\n
\"This is the first step. Next year, our target is to set up
\n200 schools, and the following year will be 1000 schools,\" Ali
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The creation of the vocational boarding schools is also being
\nsupported by the Yudhistira book publishing company, which has
\ncommitted to providing all educational books for the students.<\/p>\n
Support<\/p>\n
Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro, who
\nsigned the agreement on behalf of ICMI, hailed the Islamic
\ninstitution's latest move in education.<\/p>\n
\"Industrialization requires skills. So, I fully support the
\ncreation of such schools to create more skilled workers,\"
\nWardiman said.<\/p>\n
In his speech to hundreds of Moslem scholars, or kyai,
\nWardiman stressed that the Islamic boarding schools have long
\nplayed a pivotal role in the development of the nation. As
\nrecognized by many, Wardiman said, the institutions' roles can be
\ntraced back during the struggle for independence.<\/p>\n
Acknowledging the institutions' resilience in combating past
\npolitical colonialism, Wardiman asked them to be more aware of
\nthe newest form of colonialism, the colonialism of science and
\ntechnology.<\/p>\n
Wardiman noted that the era of global competition, as the
\nresult of globalization, has forced Indonesia to produce a more
\nand more qualified work force because it is the \"most effective
\nway\" to compete for our future.<\/p>\n
Qualified workers, according to Wardiman, are those who have
\ncompetency in science and technology as well as strong beliefs in
\nGod.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that Islamic boarding schools have a superior
\nability to produce a work force that has strong beliefs in God
\nand is resilient in life, as the ultimate objective of every
\nschool's education is to instill Islamic values into each of its
\nstudents.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, what the pesantren have done so far is on the
\nright track. But surely these institutions needs more science and
\ntechnology. In cooperation with the Ministry of Religious
\nAffairs, we will extend educational assistance,\" Wardiman said.<\/p>\n
Interest<\/p>\n
He hinted that part of the assistance from his ministry for
\nthe vocational boarding schools will be in the form of
\ncooperation between these schools and state universities or
\ninstitutes.<\/p>\n
\"In this case, we will give them our expertise as we cannot
\nhelp them build their buildings, our funds are so limited,\"
\nWardiman said.<\/p>\n
The Teacher Training and Education Institute (IKIP) Yogyakarta
\nhas set an example. It has forged cooperation with one boarding
\nschool in Sleman, Yogyakarta, to prepare for the establishment of
\na vocational boarding school there.<\/p>\n
Rector of the Semarang-based Diponegoro University Muladi has
\nalso expressed his interest in such a cooperation, saying, in the
\nlong run, it would create religious intellectuals as well as
\nqualified workers.<\/p>\n
The cooperation between the Islamic boarding schools and
\nuniversities would benefit both sides. By such cooperation,
\nlectures and students of universities would not be mislead into
\nbecoming an exclusive group. While for the boarding schools, the
\ncooperation itself means the improvement of the institution of
\nboth its education and management system.<\/p>\n
Some experts say the management of the Islamic boarding
\nschools, especially the traditional ones, is still far from good,
\nand must be a priority when improving the quality of pesantren.<\/p>\n
The efforts at improving the Islamic institutions are becoming
\nmore important, especially in light of the government's new nine-
\nyear compulsory education program.<\/p>\n
However, as once stated by noted Moslem scholar Ali Yafie, the
\nIslamic boarding schools can carry out improvement only as long
\nas they are not uprooted from the tradition of creating religious
\nscholars.<\/p>",
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