VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Pesantren (Islamic boarding school) is a part of religion-based education that exists even before Indonesia's independence. The emergence of pesantren in educational institutions began with the transition from Majapahit Kingdom to Demak -the first Islamic kingdom. As time passes by, pesantren keeps developing from the traditional model into a modern one. The existence of pesantren has given a significant contribution to the independence and national development. The santri -students at Islamic boarding school -graduated not only as preachers or teachers in a religious institution, but also they spread across diverse jobs.

About pesantren, in the 34th Congress of Nahdlatul Ulama -NU in Lampung on Wednesday (22/12), President Joko Widodo invited the cadres of NU to face the rapid technological advancement that can change daily life. The youths and santri, the president added, can move the economy together in creating prosperity for all. The President also said that currently, Indonesia is the G-20 Presidency, a global forum that contributes 80 percent of the world's gross domestic product (GDP). As the chair of the G-20, Indonesia wants to influence world policies regarding digitalization, climate change and a green economy.

It is undeniable that the existence of NU with a number of pesantrens in particular and other pesantrens in general has played an important role in the Indonesian independence movement in the colonial era until post-independence 1945. Due to changes in the world of education in pesantren towards modernization by not leaving the side of its traditional history, this will make Indonesia even better in the future. Especially now, amid of the Covid-19 pandemic, the role of Islamic boarding schools and their students in fighting the threat of the virus, vaccinating is a role model for the surrounding community and the educational institution. In addition, the pesantren model is a hallmark of religious education in Indonesia. Thus, an educational and scientific model that accepts the progress of the times can provide opportunities for students and NU cadres to be able to contribute in various aspects, especially human resource development with a religious approach.