Pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) are the oldest Islamic educational institutions in Indonesia. Education at the pesantren creates students’ characters based on Islamic morals and local culture of Indonesia. Pesantren has developed as contemporary education but remained maintaining the characteristics such as pesantren managed by Muhammadiyah. To provide guidance, Office of Pesantren Development (LP3) of Muhammadiyah conducted a national meeting (Rakernas) of Muhammadiyah pesantren on Saturday and Sunday (11-12/8) at Auditorium of K.H. Ibrahim building of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY).

Rector of UMY Dr. Ir. Gunawan Budiyanto, M.P stated that standardization is necessary to achieve goals of education at pesantren of Muhammadiyah. “The number of pesantren of Muhammadiyah gets increased. It is now accounted 220 Muhammadiyah Boarding Schools (MBS) in Indonesia. Thus, standardization is essential as parameters for the MBS. The standardization can be included in a curriculum or management,” he declared.

Meanwhile, Muhammadiyah executive Prof. Dr. H. Yunahar Ilyas, Lc., M.Ag. emphasized that although pesantren adjusts to modern education, the schools may not lose their characteristics. “Ponpes is now applying a contemporary curriculum and are not merely providing religious teaching. Identities of ponpes should be preserved,” he asserted.

There are three characters of education at pesantren. “First, there is a Kyai (an Islamic scholar though Muhammmadiyah rarely uses this term. The Kyai is a pious person being a role model and giving guidance for his students. Second, pesantren should offer Arabic language education comprising of four skills, namely listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Third, alumni of pesantren should have piety within their mind and actions as the result of education at pesantren. The character shows character building at pesantren as an educational institution,” mentioned Yunahar.

Additionally, the Rakernas discussed potential and quality development at pesantren of Muhammadiyah. “This Rakernas is organized under the theme of Pesantren Muhammadiyah Mandiri dan Berkemajuani. The discussion explores strengths of pesantren of Muhammadiyah and roles of pesantren as a center for regeneration,” informed Head of the LP3 of Muhammadiyah Dr. Maskuri, M.Ed.