TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi mentioned that introducing a minister that specializes in handling Islamic boarding schools or ‘pesantren’ in his working cabinet will need further deliberations and calculations.

“When I decided to introduce the Santri Day (Islamic boarding school students’ day), before that, I asked for inputs from a Kyai (Islamic expert) of an Islamic Boarding School before,” said President Jokowi who responded to a request made by a Islamic Boarding School mentor who suggested for a Minister of Pesantren to be introduced.

“I received information that there are nine million Islamic Boarding School students in total, which is a large number and someone must take care or at least pay them attention to,” Said President Jokowi. Although during a visit to the Al Karimiyah Islamic Boarding School in Sumenep, the President did not confirm whether it would be introduced or not.

Previously, leader of Alkarimiyah Islamic Boarding School Busro Karim who also acts as the regent of Sumenep KH Busyro Karim suggested President Jokowi to consider implementing it since he considers this type of education is useful for a person’s character building, skill improvement, and affects the unity of the nation.

ANTARA