Ministry of Religious Affairs develops child-friendly pesantren guidelines

The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs is developing the 2026 Child-Friendly Pesantren Guidelines to strengthen violence prevention and protection systems for students within Islamic boarding schools. The initiative aims to ensure that pesantren serve as safe and comfortable environments for optimal student growth.

Draft discussions were held in Jakarta on August 10–11, 2026, involving various stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive approach. Participants included representatives from the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, and the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri).

Religious organizations such as Majelis Masyayikh, Rabithah Ma’ahid Islamiyah Nahdlatul Ulama, the Muhammadiyah Islamic Boarding School Development Institute, and the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Pesantren Commission also participated. Basnang Said, Director of Pesantren at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, emphasized that student safety must be integrated into pesantren governance, requiring a collaborative ecosystem involving government, law enforcement, and community organizations.