Islamic Boarding School Takjil in Depok: Religious Affairs Ministry and City Government Strengthen Student Development
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Religious Affairs held a Takjil Pesantren event featuring a discussion and collective recitation session with students at Pondok Pesantren Al-Karimiyah in Depok, emphasising the importance of strengthening student development through collaboration between central government, local government, and pesantren.
“Pesantren is a genuine Indonesian educational institution. If the government fails to support pesantren, it amounts to working against history,” said Amien Suyitno, Director General of Islamic Education at the Religious Affairs Ministry, on Monday.
Suyitno explained that pesantren possess a distinct educational character compared to modern universities. The boarding school-based education system ensures that student character development and spiritual formation occur comprehensively.
“At pesantren, development is not limited to academic knowledge but extends to character formation and spiritual development of students,” he said.
Basnang Said, Director of Pesantren at the Religious Affairs Ministry, explained that the Takjil Pesantren initiative is part of the ministry’s effort to engage with students across various regions. The programme also serves as a dialogue platform between government and the pesantren community.
“Through this activity we aim to engage with students in various regions whilst strengthening relationships between government and pesantren,” Basnang Said said.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs continues to promote various pesantren development programmes to ensure these institutions remain effective in producing graduates who possess knowledge, strong character, and contribute to the nation.
Meanwhile, Depok Mayor Supian Suri expressed the local government’s strong commitment to supporting the existence and development of pesantren. According to him, pesantren have made significant contributions to shaping young people’s character and preserving moral values in society.
“Islamic boarding schools play a major role in protecting, developing, and forming the character of students and young people. The Depok City Government will continue to support pesantren and educational institutions that existed even before Indonesian independence,” Supian Suri said.
He also acknowledged his emotional connection to pesantren, having been a student at one himself. According to him, this experience provided valuable guidance in his life journey and leadership.
“I am proud to have been a pesantren student and I always tell my children that they will never regret becoming pesantren students,” he said.