Surabaya Mayor Approves Month-Long School Holidays for Ramadan, Conditions Inclusion in Pondok Pesantren
In a groundbreaking move, the Surabaya City Government has expressed support for the Ministry of Religion’s proposition to close schools for a full month during Ramadan in 2025, with a caveat: students must participate in pondok pesantren activities.
Eri Cahyadi, the Mayor of Surabaya, believes that this extended break should be filled with religious activities. He suggests that giving students the opportunity to learn in pondok pesantren will be effective even during school holidays. "We should utilize this time to strengthen their religious foundation," Eri stated on Friday, January 3, 2025.
The primary aim, according to Eri, is to fortify students’ religious beliefs by providing them with a firsthand experience of learning in a pesantren. "normally, they learn in school and then we instruct them to practice in a pondok. This way, they’ll understand what it’s really like to learn and practice in a pesantren," he added.
If this central government plan is implemented long-term, students could have the opportunity to experience learning in different pesantrens across the country every year. Eri hopes to collaborate with educators to integrate this into the curriculum, saying, "I’ll coordinate with education partners to ensure there’s a learning experience in the pesantren."
Eri envisions these religious strengthening activities during Ramadan culminating in a generation with strong ethical values. "With a strong religious foundation, we can cultivate a city of kindness and good deeds," he said.
Previously, RM. HR. Muhammad Syafi’i, the Deputy Minister of Religion, had acknowledged discussions about implementing a full month of school holidays during Ramadan. However, he clarified that there has been no further discussion or decision-making regarding this matter within the Ministry of Religion.
Meanwhile, Abdul Mu’ti, the Minister of Religious Affairs, expressed that the ministry had not yet discussed the proposal to close schools for Ramadan or fasting month. He noted that he had communicated with his two deputy ministers about this issue, but no decision has been made yet (lta/bil/iss).
