Islamic Boarding School: frontier of development in rural area.

By: Muhammad Mufti Azis

Islamic Boarding School (IBS), also known as Pesantren, is a reliable moving agent in the development of rural area. For Indonesian, IBS has grown along with up and down of Indonesian history. In the past, IBS not only known as a basis of Moslem education but also had created innumerable brave countrymen to build our nation. Today, IBS has been growing rapidly. This phenomenon is also shown by many of IBS today start adopting modern curriculum (excellent language skill) with modern infrastructures. Besides, it is accepted that IBS is an institution which arise opulently in rural area and posses social spirit to increase local human dignity. Therefore, it is conceivable to say that IBS will be a frontier to escort rural Indonesian people to enter the globalization.

Generally, IBS transformation from traditional to modern institution runs smoothly from all over the place in Indonesia. National Education Department recently has reported a significant increase in IBS quality. Apparently, it is fruit of IBS modernization in Indonesia besides the upgrading of school facilities itself. I am personally convinced that in a near future we will be able to see an IBS student can grab a gold medal in an International Science Olympiad.

Historically, the major reason of Islamic scholars to establish IBS is for the sake of less fortunate people. The poor is widely spread on rural area and this fact triggered many IBS to grow from rural area. Paternalism culture has smoothed Islamic scholars to set up IBS in accordance with the local wisdom. As a result, Islamic scholars will play important role among the society and will enhance the good image of IBS as well.

The presence of IBS in many places has inspired villagers to grow and increase their life quality. As we might know, IBS students mostly come from less fortunate family. Therefore, to finance the operation of IBS, IBS sets up an entrepreneurship program. In the program, students are asked to develop their village potential under government advisory. For example in West Nusa Tenggara, Nurul Hakim Boarding school successfully helps Sasak people to develop their community (Segenter village). Therefore, this fact shows that the presence of IBS has influenced villager’s awareness to improve their life quality through a real community action.

Unfortunately, in many occasions, western countries often blindly accuse IBS as a terrorists hide-out. It is triggered by Islamic paranoid syndrome which fast emerges after 11 Sept tragedy. Obviously, it is unacceptable and hinders IBS to be an international education institution. However, In opposite from that, United Nations (UN) has awarded IBS in Indonesia as a role model for another Moslem developing country as a reliable mean to eradicate poverty.

In conclusion, it is inevitable if IBS has created many contributions for rural area development in Indonesia. In future, NU and Muhammadiyah, as the most influential Islamic organization in Indonesia, should develop sustainable cooperation to enlarge IBS role in Indonesia with another Islamic organizations. Likewise, the Indonesian government should actively promote to the International forums of the benefits from IBS presence in Indonesia.