Historical narratives often highlight the crucial role of santri (Islamic boarding school students) in Indonesia's struggle for independence. The Jihad Resolution proclaimed on October 22, 1945, during the fervor of the physical revolution, stands as a testament to their contribution, commemorated annually.

However, is the legacy of santri confined to the struggle for independence? Should their existence be merely viewed through the romantic lens of history tied to independence? These questions prompt a reevaluation of their role in contemporary times.

According to Law No. 18 of 2019 on Islamic Boarding Schools, santri are students pursuing Islamic education in pesantren, community-based institutions established by individuals, foundations, Islamic organizations, or the community. These institutions instill faith, piety to Allah SWT, and noble character while upholding rahmatan lil ‘alamin (mercy to all creation) values such as humility, tolerance, balance, moderation, and Indonesia's cultural values. They contribute through education, Islamic propagation, exemplary conduct, and community empowerment within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.

Given this definition, how relevant are santri in addressing Indonesia's contemporary social challenges?

Addressing Social Welfare in Indonesia

The founders of Indonesia envisioned one of the nation's goals as promoting the general welfare, enshrined in the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution. Further, social welfare is outlined in Chapter XIV of the Constitution.

Midgley (1997), in his seminal work, explains that social welfare refers to a state of human life achieved when social issues are well-managed, human needs are met, and social opportunities are maximized. Meanwhile, Law No. 11 of 2009 defines social welfare as a condition where citizens' material, spiritual, and social needs are met, enabling them to live decently, develop themselves, and perform their social functions.

The state also emphasizes that achieving social welfare requires social workers who restore social functioning through planned, integrated, sustainable, and supervised professional assistance. This is articulated in Law No. 14 of 2019 on Social Work. The law recognizes social work as a professional service to prevent social dysfunction, restore, and improve the social functioning of individuals, families, groups, and communities.

The development of social work in Indonesia now includes recognition and strengthening of the social work profession. The Indonesian Association of Professional Social Workers (IPSPI) operates across 34 provinces, while 32 universities under the Association of Indonesian Schools of Social Welfare and Social Work (APKPSI) provide social work and welfare studies programs.

The Intersection of Santri and Social Work

Social work integrates knowledge, skills, and values, imparted through higher education to future social workers. How can the values inherent in santri life contribute to social welfare?

One defining characteristic of santri life is strong collectivism and solidarity. Living in a pesantren community fosters cooperation, mutual support, and a collective spirit—values highly relevant to social work. Social work interventions often require collaboration across stakeholders in managing client cases, emphasizing patience and teamwork.

Furthermore, the pesantren’s emphasis on empowerment aligns with social work principles. Through traditional learning models like bandongan (group study) and sorogan (individual learning), santri develop a balance of collectivism and independence, fostering empowerment.

Character education is a cornerstone of pesantren tradition. Santri are imbued with strong moral and religious values, shaping ethical individuals. Similarly, social work interventions in child, youth, and family settings emphasize moral and character development.

Pesantren also play a role in social services, managing orphanages, child welfare institutions, free healthcare, and economic empowerment programs. Collaboration between pesantren and social workers could enhance these initiatives, addressing modern social challenges like poverty and inequality.

Integrating Santri into Social Welfare through PBSB

A significant breakthrough is the Santri Achievement Scholarship (PBSB), a collaboration between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and LPDP (Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education). Starting in 2021, PBSB began supporting santri pursuing social work studies at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, the first Islamic university offering a social welfare program since 2009.

PBSB aims to cultivate santri skilled in social work, blending religious values with professionalism. PBSB graduates embody a unique "religious-nationalist" identity, sensitive to social issues and grounded in Islamic values while embracing pluralism.

Towards Repositioning Santri in Social Welfare

The collectivism, solidarity, empowerment, and character education inherent in santri life align with social work principles. By integrating santri identity with the social work profession, a comprehensive social welfare system can emerge, grounded in both moral and professional ethics.

The PBSB program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga offers santri an opportunity to become religiously grounded, professionally competent social workers. With a strong foundation in Islamic values and scientific knowledge of social work, PBSB santri have the potential to drive social welfare initiatives, creating a more just and prosperous Indonesia.

Muhammad Izzul Haq
Head of Social Welfare Studies Program, UIN Sunan Kalijaga, and Chairperson of the Executive Boardof Special Branch of Nahdlatul UlamaUSA-Canada 2021-2024

* Translated from:

https://mediaindonesia.com/opini/731173/menggagas-reposisi-santri-sebagai-penggerak-kesejahteraan-sosial