MPR Speaker Says Pesantren Students Have Greater Opportunity for Intensive Learning

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Ahmad Muzani said that students (santri) receiving their education at Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) have a greater opportunity for more intensive learning, owing to the fact that they live and board at their institutions.

He said this opportunity should be maximised through studying, reading, asking questions, and exploring all fields of knowledge — not solely religious studies. He made the remarks whilst attending an iftar gathering at Pondok Pesantren Asshiddiqiyah in Jakarta on Sunday.

“Students must make the most of this opportunity because they genuinely have the chance to learn,” Muzani said.

He observed that the lessons taught by teachers, ustaz, and kyai essentially concern the foundational methodology of a discipline, whether religious or secular. After mastering these foundational subjects, he said, students still have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge elsewhere.

“Our friends at the boarding schools understand a great deal about methodology, but sometimes the opportunity to explore it further is limited — whether due to time, access, or finances,” he said.

Muzani added that his visit to the pesantren was part of the MPR leadership’s Ramadan Safari programme. He chose to begin with Pesantren Asshiddiqiyah because of its strong teaching and learning activities.

“Its alumni have gone on to pursue various professions and hold quite distinguished public positions,” he said.

He assessed that students from the pesantren are capable of competing with others from a wide range of academic disciplines.

“I extend my gratitude to Pondok Pesantren Asshiddiqiyah for its continued service to the nation and the state,” he said.