TRANSFORMASI PESANTREN DALAM PENDIDIKAN NASIONAL

Abstract

Pesantren are Islamic educational institutions in Indonesia that have continually adapted to socio-cultural and technological changes. Despite a lingering stigma that pesantren focus solely on religious studies, many have embraced a more inclusive model integrating religious and secular knowledge. Using a qualitative historical approach through literature review, this study traces pesantren development across key phases: the early spread of Islam, Islamic sultanates, Dutch colonialism, the national awakening, and the Old and New Order periods. In each phase, pesantren played critical roles in education, character formation, and cultural resistance. Distinctive features include value internalization through dormitory life, fostering independence, discipline, and moral integrity. Beyond education, pesantren contribute to social and economic empowerment through skills training, student cooperatives, and entrepreneurship. Findings highlight pesantren’s transformation from traditional religious schools into adaptive institutions that preserve Islamic values while addressing modern challenges.