English Teacher Training Strengthens Indonesia–UK Education Partnership

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - A joint initiative between the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs and the British Council has concluded with promising results, enhancing the professional capacity of English teachers in madrasah (Islamic religious schools) across the country.

The eight-week program, part of a broader effort to strengthen education ties under the Indonesia–UK Strategic Partnership, wrapped up with a final workshop at the Ministry’s headquarters in Jakarta in late February 2026.

The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2025, reflects Indonesia’s commitment to advancing the Asta Protas agenda of the Ministry of Religious Affairs while aligning with the bilateral agreement signed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier this year.

“Strengthening the capacity of madrasah teachers is strategic, not only to nurture a generation of Muslims with strong religious foundations but also to expand students’ access to higher education and global networks,” Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar said in Jakarta on Thursday, February 26, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Indonesia has more than 41,000 madrasah teachers nationwide, and English proficiency is increasingly seen as essential for opening pathways to international opportunities.

The program began with a competency mapping exercise to assess pedagogical skills and language proficiency among teachers at MTs and MA levels, followed by a pilot Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme to inform future policy.

According to British Council Country Director for Indonesia and Southeast Asia, Summer Xia, 613 teachers from nearly all provinces completed the training.

“By offering structured online modules supported by e-moderators and weekly live sessions, we ensured high-quality professional development was accessible to educators wherever they are,” she explained, adding that data-driven competency mapping provides an objective basis for future teacher development policies.

Teachers reported tangible benefits in the classroom. Ni’matus Zahroh, an English teacher at MTsN 15 Jombang, said the program improved her teaching quality. “It helps us create enjoyable learning experiences and inspires students to keep learning, shaping a generation that is both faithful and thoughtful,” she noted.

As a pilot initiative, the program is expected to expand to reach more madrasah teachers nationwide, fostering a sustainable professional learning community and strengthening Indonesia’s role in global education collaboration. ***