Govt Strengthens Regulations for Islamic Boarding School Licenses

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ministry of Religious Affairs is tightening the process of issuing permits for Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) through the Pesantren Registration Service Application System (Sitren). The move is part of efforts to improve pesantren governance and strengthen child protection in religious education.

Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar said the policy ensures that every pesantren granted an operational permit meets institutional, safety, and student care standards.

“The state must ensure that officially recognized schools meet the basic characteristics of pesantren and guarantee student safety,” Minister Nasaruddin said on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

He noted that the government is concerned about sexual violence and bullying in religious education. Regulations, stronger governance, and enhanced child protection measures are being applied to address these issues.

The new permit policy focuses on quality, adequacy of facilities, and compliance with safety standards in dormitories and learning environments.

Data from the ministry shows that between May and December 2025, 888 operational permits were issued. From January to April 2026, however, only 41 new permits were granted after stricter requirements were introduced, including the Building Construction Approval (PBG) and the Certificate of Functional Worthiness (SLF).

The ministry has also taken enforcement measures against pesantren that fail to meet student protection standards. In 2026, it halted new student admissions at 17 problematic schools, replaced leadership at 14 schools, and permanently revoked registration certificates for several institutions.

The ministry is optimizing its Telepontren complaint channel to report problems in pesantren. As of May 2026, the channel had received 22 public reports.

“The rising number of complaints shows growing public trust in the state‑provided mechanism, which guarantees confidentiality and protection,” Minister Nasaruddin said.

To prevent further issues, the ministry is collaborating with religious organizations to develop a Child‑Friendly Pesantren Facilitator Module and to provide Tarbiyah Jinsiyyah training, a form of sex education grounded in Islamic values and etiquette.

The ministry is also encouraging pesantren nationwide to adopt good practices in student development, emphasizing dialogue and avoiding physical violence.

“Through strengthened regulations, ongoing supervision, and cooperation from all parties, the state is committed to reinforcing child protection in pesantren,” Minister Nasaruddin said. (Misni Parjiati)