Pondok Pesantren Internasional is often translated into English as International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS). Here in Pondok Pesantren Al-Khoirot Malang, we use the term Al-Khoirot Institute of Islamic Studies instead.
Islamic Boarding School or Institute of Islamic Studies?
Institute of Islamic Studies, in our opinion, is more appropriate translation of pondok pesantren, than Islamic Boarding School, for several reasons:
- Because the equivalent of this term in Arabic is al-ma‘had al-Islāmī li al-dirāsāt al-islāmiyyah (المعهد الإسلامي للدراسات الإسلامية). When translated into English, it becomes “Institute of Islamic Studies,” not “Islamic Boarding School.” This translation from the Arabic is more accurate because it relates to the substance of the institution as one that focuses on the study of Islamic knowledge.
- Not all students or santri live inside the pesantren. Quite a number of pesantren allow the santri to continue living in their own homes, except when they are required to come to the pondok pesantren for study activities.
General Terminology on Islamic Boarding School
Islamic boarding schools (often called pesantren or pondok pesantren in Indonesia) are residential educational institutions focused on Islamic learning, character formation, and community life. In some pesantren like Al-Khoirot, however, the santris are not only learning islamic studies, they also study sciences from junior high school until universities.
In Indonesia—the country with the world’s largest Muslim population and the strongest association with this model—they form one of the oldest continuous education systems, predating modern national schooling. Similar institutions exist elsewhere under names such as madrasa (South Asia and the Arab world), pondok (Malaysia and southern Thailand), or specialized hifz (Quran memorization) boarding schools in the UK, North America, and elsewhere.
Key Features
Students (called santri) live on campus, often under the guidance of a kyai (or similar religious leader/teacher). Daily life typically includes:
- Early morning prayers (around 4 a.m.) and a full schedule of activities lasting nearly 20 hours.
- Intensive study of the Quran, Arabic, classical Islamic texts (kitab kuning or “yellow books”), fiqh (jurisprudence), hadith, and related subjects.
- Character education emphasizing sincerity, simplicity, discipline, solidarity, and self-control.
- Separation of young men and women, fostering independence and close bonds with teachers.
Many provide housing at low or no cost (traditionally offset by student labor). Modern ones often charge fees but remain more affordable than many private alternatives. Some integrate formal national curricula (mathematics, sciences, languages) alongside religious studies so graduates can pursue higher education or professional paths.
Types of Pondok Pesantren in Indonesia
- Traditional (Salaf/Salafiyah): Focus primarily on classical Islamic texts and traditional teaching methods (e.g., sorogan and bandongan).
Modern (Khalaf): Combine religious education with general/secular subjects, vocational skills, languages, and sometimes technology or international curricula (including International Baccalaureate programs in some “International Islamic Boarding Schools” or IIBS). - Indonesia has roughly 42,000 pesantren (estimates range around 42,000–42,400 in recent data), serving millions of santri. They play major roles in education, religious transmission, community leadership, and social empowerment.
Worldwide Context
Outside Indonesia, Islamic boarding schools emphasize Quranic studies, Arabic, Islamic values, and often secular subjects. Examples include Hifz-focused residential programs in the UK and North America, various madrasas, and growing numbers of faith-based boarding options in places like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the United States. Approaches range from traditional scholarly training to modern dual-curriculum models.
These institutions generally aim to produce knowledgeable, ethical Muslims while adapting to contemporary needs such as formal qualifications, technology skills, and global awareness. Quality, curriculum balance, safety standards, and ideological orientation vary widely—parents and students typically research specific schools carefully.[]