MPR Rejects Elimination Of The Phrase 'Madrasah' In Revised National Education System Law

Deputy Chairperson of the MPR Yandri Susanto (center) when receiving a delegation from the Central Leadership Council (DPP) of the Indonesian Madrasah Teachers Association (PGMI)/ANTARA/HO-MPR RI

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the MPR Yandri Susanto rejected the abolition of the phrase "madrasah" in the revision of Law number 20 of 2003 concerning the National Education System (Sisdiknas).

According to him, madrasas and Islamic boarding schools have great services for the nation and state.

"Removing the term madrasa from the National Education System Bill means removing madrasa services from the nation's history, and that should not happen at any time," Yandri said in a written statement quoted by ANTARA, Monday, August 8.

He said this when he received a delegation from the Central Executive Board (DPP) of the Indonesian Madrasah Teachers Association (PGMI), at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta.

He said that currently the term madrasah still exists in the National Education System Law, but many madrasas and Islamic boarding schools have a staggering journey.

"Especially if the phrase 'madrasah' is removed from the National Education System Law. Therefore, the rejection of the plan to remove the term madrasah from the law is a fixed price," he said.

Yandri said the public needed to keep reminding all parties until the plan to remove the term madrasah from the National Education System Law was completely cancelled.

In addition, Yandri also agreed with PGMI that the government should review the plan to eliminate honorary workers, including those in madrasas, because it is feared that it will cause various resistances in the world of education, especially madrasas.

"The number of honorary teachers is very large, if all of them are eliminated, what will happen to the world of education. Has the government prepared substitute teachers because otherwise, many madrasas cannot carry out their teaching and learning activities properly," he said.

Meanwhile, the PGMI DPP delegation led by the Chairman of PGMI Syamsuddin delivered the recommendations of the PGMI National Working Meeting (Rakernas) on 22-25 July 2022 in Batam City, Riau Islands Province.

The recommendations of the National Working Meeting, among others, contain PGMI's rejection of the plan to abolish the term madrasa in the draft National Education System Bill and rejection of the plan to eliminate honorary staff, including those in madrasas.