Ministry of Religious Affairs Promotes Child-Friendly Parenting Practices in Pesantren

The current challenge is how to implement it using an approach aligned with child protection principles, to create a civilised educational environment free from violence. Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) continues to encourage pesantren in Indonesia to build child-friendly parenting patterns in order to establish a safe, inclusive religious education environment free from all forms of violence. Director of Pesantren at Kemenag, Basnang Said, emphasised that pesantren possess a wealth of traditions in shaping morals, which now need to be implemented in line with child protection principles. “The heritage values possessed by pesantren are very strong. The current challenge is how to apply them with an approach that aligns with child protection principles, so that a civilised educational environment without violence is created,” said Basnang in Jakarta on Thursday. Basnang explained that a number of pesantren in various regions have already taken the initiative and become references in child-friendly parenting practices. Their practices are considered successful in combining pesantren traditions with more modern child protection approaches. Meanwhile, in Jombang, Pesantren Tebuireng combines formal education systems with child protection services, including counselling for santri. Pesantren Darunnajah and Al-Amien Prenduan are also not left behind. Both prioritise persuasive communication and intensive mentoring in nurturing the character of santri. “Meanwhile, in eastern Indonesia, Pesantren As’adiyah (South Sulawesi) relies on the example of the kiai and emotional closeness in spiritual development,” said Basnang. Kemenag is committed to expanding these good practices to more pesantren. The methods include strengthening regulations, increasing the capacity of caregivers, and compiling national guidelines for child-friendly pesantren.