Pesantren, Muslim boarding schools

Nahdlatul Wathan
One pesantren that we visited belongs to Nahdhlatul Wathan (NW). It has 11 000 students, 6000 attending primary and secondary school levels and 5000 attending tertiary education. The senior high school is separate for girls and boys. The students do not learn about other religions before university. According to the director, 90 % of the school’s curriculum is decided by the central government.

Muhammadiyah
Another school we visited was run by Muhammadiyah. This school was established in 1990. At that time the school only had two subjects. Yet today they have four; automatic, architect, electronics and data. It has altogether 497 students, however only 12 of these are girls. All the students are Muslims. The students must pay a lot of money to go here. It costs about 15 000 Rupiah for the enrolment. In addition to these expenses they also must pay for other sundry expenses such as school books and other materials. For three years this will be a total amount of about 500 000 Rupiah.

The school open up for other religions as well, but because the majority of the students are Muslims, it is difficult to find teachers to teach them in other religions. There is a mosque close to the school. The students normally take a break from class to participate in praying. The time for one prayer will be approximately 30 minutes.

The school receives some economic contribution from the government, but most of the money comes from the committee of parents. The school’s curriculum is decided by the central government. But the school can edit other subjects, like the teaching of Muhammad’s life. The history of Muhammad’s life is the students’ main focus.

Statistics showed us that students from private schools score lower on the final exam, compared to those graduating from the public schools. The principal’s answer to this statement was that the public schools only accept students that pass a curtain qualification test. Students who do not pass the test choose to pay to go to a private one. The school has seven female teachers. Though in the board of directors there are only men. However, they do have a board of female directors, called Isiah. Isaih is in charge of the kindergarten and the primary school. The Muhammadiyah board controls the junior high school, senior high school, and university level teaching.

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