Time to Build a Santri Protection System

The abuse case that led to the death of a student at an Islamic boarding school in West Nusa Tenggara has left a deep wound in the world of education, particularly Islamic education. The tragedy, which occurred at the end of 2025 and only surfaced in the public sphere several months later, reminds us that child protection cannot be viewed merely as an administrative matter. It is a great mandate that must be safeguarded together.

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala says: “Belanjakanlah hartamu di jalan Allah, dan janganlah kamu menjatuhkan dirimu sendiri ke dalam kebinasaan. Berbuat baiklah, karena sesungguhnya Allah menyukai orang-orang yang berbuat baik.” (QS Al-Baqarah: 195). This verse reminds us that humans must not allow themselves or others to fall into destruction. In the context of education, this message demands a serious effort to create a learning environment that is safe, healthy, and upholds the dignity of every child.

The grief of the victim’s family has touched the hearts of many. Every parent entrusts their child to a pesantren with great hope. They hope their children will grow into pious, knowledgeable, independent, and noble individuals. That trust is like a sacred deposit that must not be cracked by violence, negligence, or omission. Therefore, every form of violence in an educational environment is a betrayal of parental trust. Violence is not part of education, nor is it a path to discipline. Education should ignite a light within a child, not leave scars that last a lifetime.

This incident must certainly not be used as a reason to judge all pesantren. Thousands of pesantren in Indonesia have served sincerely, educated the nation’s generation, and become a moral fortress for society. However, this tragedy must serve as a momentum for introspection and improvement so that Islamic educational institutions become stronger in carrying out their educational function as well as protecting every student.