ANALISIS KEBIJAKAN PENDIDIKAN TENTANG PESANTREN (UU RI NOMOR 18 TAHUN 2019)

Abstrak

Pesantren merupakan lembaga pendidikan Islam tertua di Indonesia yang memiliki peran strategis dalam pendidikan, dakwah, dan pemberdayaan masyarakat. Namun, sebelum lahirnya Undang-Undang Nomor 18 Tahun 2019 tentang Pesantren, eksistensi pesantren belum memperoleh pengakuan hukum yang komprehensif dalam sistem pendidikan nasional. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kebijakan pendidikan pesantren dalam Undang-Undang Nomor 18 Tahun 2019 serta mengkaji dampak dan implikasinya terhadap pengembangan pesantren di Indonesia. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan jenis penelitian kepustakaan (library research). Data diperoleh melalui studi dokumentasi dan literatur dengan sumber utama berupa Undang-Undang Nomor 18 Tahun 2019 tentang Pesantren serta berbagai buku, jurnal, dan dokumen kebijakan terkait. Analisis data dilakukan menggunakan teknik content analysis untuk mengidentifikasi substansi kebijakan, dinamika perumusan, serta implikasi implementasinya. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa UU Pesantren memberikan pengakuan formal terhadap pesantren sebagai bagian dari sistem pendidikan nasional melalui fungsi pendidikan, dakwah, dan pemberdayaan masyarakat. Kebijakan ini memperkuat legalitas kelembagaan pesantren, memberikan jaminan kesetaraan lulusan, memperluas akses pendanaan, serta mendorong peningkatan kualitas tata kelola pendidikan pesantren. Meskipun demikian, implementasinya masih menghadapi tantangan berupa kesiapan sumber daya manusia, standar mutu pendidikan, dan potensi berkurangnya otonomi pesantren akibat intervensi regulasi. Dengan demikian, UU Nomor 18 Tahun 2019 merupakan kebijakan strategis yang mendukung penguatan pesantren dalam sistem pendidikan nasional, namun pelaksanaannya memerlukan keseimbangan antara dukungan negara dan kemandirian pesantren agar nilai-nilai khas pesantren tetap terjaga.

Pesantren are the oldest Islamic educational institutions in Indonesia and play a strategic role in education, religious propagation (da'wah), and community empowerment. However, prior to the enactment of Law Number 18 of 2019 concerning Pesantren, their existence had not received comprehensive legal recognition within the national education system. This study aims to analyze the educational policy on pesantren as stipulated in Law Number 18 of 2019 and to examine its impacts and implications for the development of pesantren in Indonesia. This research employs a qualitative approach using a library research method. Data were collected through documentation and literature review, with the primary source being Law Number 18 of 2019 concerning Pesantren, supported by books, scholarly journals, and related policy documents. Data were analyzed using content analysis to identify the substance of the policy, the dynamics of its formulation, and the implications of its implementation. The findings indicate that the Pesantren Law provides formal recognition of pesantren as an integral part of the national education system through their educational, religious, and community empowerment functions. The policy strengthens the legal status of pesantren institutions, ensures the equivalency of graduates, expands access to funding, and promotes improvements in the quality of pesantren governance and education. Nevertheless, its implementation still faces several challenges, including the readiness of human resources, educational quality standards, and the potential reduction of pesantren autonomy due to regulatory intervention. Therefore, Law Number 18 of 2019 represents a strategic policy that supports the strengthening of pesantren within the national education system. However, its successful implementation requires a balance between government support and institutional independence to preserve the distinctive values and traditions of pesantren.