E-learning on tolerant Islam launched

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 04/08/2008 11:52 AM  |  Headlines

An e-learning program is being introduced to Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) in a bid to promote an inclusive and tolerant brand of Islam in Indonesia, says a nongovernmental organization.

Jointly launched Monday by the International Center for Islam and Pluralism (ICIP) and the Ford Foundation, it is also aimed at expanding access to education for pesantren and surrounding communities.

Under the program, pesantren students and community members will be able to access educational lessons through the website pesantrenglobal.org and computer-based media.

The website will provide them with materials for the government's standardized Packet B and Packet C (equivalent education packages) along with skill- and citizenship-based learning programs.

Prospective students can sign up at the site free of charge, download the materials, including textbook exercises, and take online tests.

Education Minister Bambang Sudibyo said during the launch that even though the site was geared towards students of religious boarding schools, others could also benefit from the program.

"Boarding schools are known for building faith, but I believe fervently they should not ignore basic education. There is no excuse for a good Muslim to stop studying.

"The fact that this program provides study materials to children outside the pesantren is even more commendable," Bambang said in his keynote speech.

ICIP spokeswoman Farinia Fianto said eight boarding schools would administer the site, including Pesantren An-Nizhomiyyah in Labuan, Banten, Pesantren Al Musri in Cianjur and Pesantren Al Mizan in Majalengka, all in West Java.

Other schools include Pesantren Hasyim Asy'ari in Jepara and Pesantren Raudhatul Falah in Rembang, in Central Java; Pesantren Nurul Jadid in Probolinggo and Pesantren Nurul Islam in Jember, in East Java; and Pesantren Al Kenaniyah in Jakarta.

Farinia said it would depend on the boarding schools whether degrees could be earned through the program, but that all the schools planned to issue certificates of some kind.

"ICIP wants to stress, though, that the boarding schools should not charge the public for certificates or for computer and Internet use," she said.

Bambang also urged religious leaders from other boarding schools to adopt such e-learning education programs.

"The Internet is a new world, a new environment that, whether we like it or not, must be learned. I believe the religious leaders here will succeed in getting God's approval of the Internet," he said.

Since 1997, the government has been pushing distance learning programs, which have become the basis for the development of the e-learning system in Indonesia.

In 2004, the Education Ministry launched TVedukasi (Education TV) in cooperation with state-owned TVRI to highlight the importance of technology in education.

In 2006, the ministry launched a national education network, connecting 462 education agencies and schools in several provinces and regencies.(anw)

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