National Final Exam for Salafiyah Pesantren Boarding School Equivalence Education at Elementary Level Held, Certificates Nationally Recognised Equivalent to Primary School Graduates

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) reports that the National Final Examination (UAN) for Equivalence Education at Salafiyah Pesantren Boarding Schools (PKPPS) for the Ula level in the 2025/2026 academic year will be held from 4 to 16 May 2026.

Director General of Islamic Education at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Amien Suyitno, stated that the PKPPS Ula certificate holds valid legal status and is recognised by the state, equivalent to graduates of Primary Schools (SD) or Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MI).

“PKPPS Ula graduates have the same rights to continue their education to the next level, whether to junior secondary school or MTs. This is a concrete form of the state’s recognition of the pesantren education system,” Suyitno said in Jakarta on Monday.

According to him, the existence of PKPPS serves as an important bridge between the pesantren education tradition and the national education system, without having to eliminate the uniqueness of the pesantren itself.

“Pesantrens remain with their characteristics, namely strengthening morals and learning yellow books, but also receive formal recognition through the equivalence system,” he said.

Meanwhile, Director of Pesantren Basnang Said added that the UAN for PKPPS at the Ula level is not only a means of evaluating learning outcomes but also part of the state’s affirmation of basic education in pesantrens.

“This is recognition that education in pesantrens, including at the basic level, has quality and standards equivalent to other formal education,” said Basnang.

He emphasised that PKPPS Ula students still receive the distinctive pesantren learning that emphasises character building and Islamic values, while meeting national basic competency standards.

“Students are not only equipped with academic abilities but also morals and independence. That is the main strength of pesantrens,” he said.

The UAN for PKPPS in the 2025/2026 academic year is participated in by 69,176 students nationwide and is conducted in stages, covering the Ulya, Wustha, and Ula levels. All examination implementations are carried out using Computer Based Test (CBT).