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| Arabic Language Education Lecturer at the Faculty of Islamic Studies, University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) Ahmad Fatoni, Lc., M.Ag. (Photo: Special) |
Many people are choosing Pesantren as a place to educate their children. Pesantren can provide holistic education, ranging from science, religion to manners and ethics. The digital era's influence is also why parents are worried about their children's future.
This phenomenon caught the attention of the Arabic Language Education Lecturer at the Faculty of Islamic Religion, University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) Ahmad Fatoni, Lc., M.Ag. According to him, pesantren is an educational institution with a long history in Indonesia. Its affinity is also powerful because it contributes to human resources in Indonesia, primarily in terms of creed and morals.
"In the Ministry of Religious Affairs there are more than five thousand Islamic boarding schools in East Java. Excluding the Islamic boarding school in other regions," he said.
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According to Fatoni, there are three considerations that parents and prospective students can use when choosing a pesantren. First, set the goal of the child or prospective student. If they want to memorize the Quran, look for a pesantren with a memorization program. Suppose the goal is to become an expert in religious knowledge, for example, Islamic literature. In that case, you can look for a pesantren that provides a learning system based on the kitab kuning or unlearned books.
"If the goal is to make your child an intellectual scholar, then look for a pesantren that combines pesantren education with formal education. Usually, the pesantren integrates general sciences with religious sciences typical of pesantren," he added.
The next consideration when deciding on a pesantren is determining the desired model. In general, pesantren are divided into two, namely traditional and modern. Traditional or Salafi usually emphasizes the kitab kuning or unlearned books. Even this pesantren prohibits its students from receiving formal education so that they can focus more on mastering the kitab. Students who want to get formal education are usually asked to look outside from the pesantren.
The other type is the modern one. Here, the santri not only learn Islamic knowledge but are taught general sciences about technology and language. In other words, this modern model does not only emphasize learning the kitab kuning.
"After determining the purpose and model of the pesantren, parents or prospective students must see the track record of the pesantren to be chosen. For example, by looking at existing alumni. Whether many are successful or successful and able to benefit the community," he said.
Finally, Fatoni reminded us that the key to the success of a pesantren is its learning system. Then also the quality of the alums, the boarding school leaders' progress, and their community services. Parents can come directly to the location to check and observe if the pesantren is new and has no alumni. Seeing for themselves whether the pesantren is following what they want. (Put/Nov/Wil)
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