Ministry strengthens madrasa transformation through modernization

hartono · Aug 3, 2026

Ministry strengthens madrasa transformation through modernization

Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar speaks during an official event in this undated handout photo released by Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs. ANTARA/HO-Ministry of Religious Affairs/mrt

Jakarta (ANTARA) -
Indonesia is accelerating the transformation of Islamic schools through infrastructure upgrades, digital learning, values-based education and environmental programs to prepare students for the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision.

Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar said Monday that transforming madrasas is central to the ministry’s strategy to develop high-quality human resources needed to achieve the national vision.

“The nation’s greatest investment is building human resources,” Nasaruddin said in a statement issued in Jakarta.

He said Islamic education must produce graduates who excel academically while demonstrating strong character, tolerance and environmental awareness.

The ministry has continued strengthening educational infrastructure nationwide to support the transformation, he said.

A total of 556 madrasas and religious schools have been revitalized, while 352 madrasas and 34 state Islamic higher-education institutions have been built.

The ministry has also expanded digital learning by distributing 2,180 interactive digital boards to 551 madrasas nationwide.

Beyond infrastructure, the ministry has introduced the Love-Based Curriculum, known as Kurikulum Berbasis Cinta, which promotes compassion, tolerance, social responsibility and respect for diversity.

Education should develop people who are intellectually capable while possessing strong moral character and the ability to live harmoniously in a pluralistic society, Nasaruddin said.

Character education has also been strengthened through the Ecotheology Program, which integrates religious values with environmental stewardship.

The program includes planting one million trees, conserving mangrove forests and coral reefs, and promoting eco-enzymes as part of faith-based environmental conservation efforts.

“Through the Ecotheology Program, environmental conservation initiatives continue to be promoted as a practical expression of religious values,” Nasaruddin said.