Campaign to promote Islamic studies launched
Campaign to promote Islamic studies launched
JAKARTA (JP): Students across the country will begin their
month-long holiday next week studying Islam in a government-
sponsored campaign to promote religious studies in schools.
President Soeharto launched yesterday the nationwide campaign
to encourage schools to hold short courses on Islam, called
Pesantren Kilat.
"The program is meant to complement the religious teaching
that students receive in schools," Soeharto said in a ceremony
attended by Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman
Djojonegoro and chairman of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas
Hasan Basri.
"We realize that religious teaching at schools is very
limited," Soeharto said.
In the current national curriculum, students get 2.5 hour of
religious teaching a week. Some believe that this is not enough.
"Given this limited time, it's fitting that the Pesantren
Kilat program is held during school holidays," he said. "Our
children will then be able to fill their holidays with religious
duties."
Soeharto said that the courses would enrich the students'
knowledge, and raise their awareness of religious duties,
deepening their faith and encouraging them to practice Islam in
daily life.
"This program is in line with the goals of the national
curriculum as stipulated in the Broad Guidelines of State
Policies," he added.
The Pesantren Kilat is designed for pupils of fifth and sixth
grades in the elementary school, and students of junior and
senior high schools. Participation is voluntary.
The government wants to counter rising juvenile delinquency,
especially in big cities.
The program this year will only be introduced in provincial
capitals and one or two regency towns. If successful, it will be
extended to other towns next year.
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) provides its own teachers
to work with teachers of state schools that administer the
program.
Speaking to 200 pupils in the launching yesterday, Soeharto
said national development called for hard work and discipline.
"You should make an effort to meet future demand now," he
said. "Playing games and having fun are also necessary, but you
should not forget that you also have to compete."
The program will not teach youngsters only about their faith
but it will also instill a sense of "togetherness". Students
spend the whole week together, sleeping, eating, learning,
reciting the Koran and holding discussions.
A number of organizations, including private schools, have
already run Pesantren Kilat. But this is the first time that the
concept is being used at state schools. (01)