Indonesia Ministry of Religious Affairs strengthens education management

Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, has announced initiatives to strengthen the management of religious education, focusing on both international studies and domestic data synchronization.

Following a memorandum of understanding signed with Al-Azhar University Vice President Ayman Abdul Ghani, the Ministry of Religious Affairs will implement stricter selection processes for Indonesian students heading to Al-Azhar in Egypt. The new criteria will prioritize academic quality, moral character, and language proficiency. Accepted students will undergo a mandatory Arabic language preparation program at the Language Development Center to ensure academic readiness.

Domestically, Minister Umar is pushing for better data synchronization between madrasahs and pesantren (Islamic boarding schools). He noted that students often participate in both systems—attending madrasah during the day and pesantren at night—which can lead to double-counting in official statistics. The Ministry aims to establish clearer data criteria and ensure the legal recognition of pesantren diplomas to guarantee graduates' rights and educational continuity.