Cirebon, NU Online
The Nahdlatul Ulama Regional Board (PWNU) of East Kalimantan is committed to empowering Nahdliyin (NU followers) through education. In addition to developing long-standing Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), through its Ma'arif institution, the PWNU has now developed Vocational High Schools (SMK) which offer such basic programs as tourism and agriculture.<>

According to the chairman of East Kalimantan's PWNU, KH Muhammad Arsyad, NU also wants to absorb its followers who want to engage in other fields in addition to religious education.

"During the period 2008 to the end of 2013, we have asked all branches to function Ma'arif NU institutions," he said on the sidelines of a NU national congress which was held in Pesantren Kempek Cirebon recently.

He said some NU branches had already run the program. NU boards in East Kutai, Balikpapan, and Samrinda have each had a vocational high school. In Brau there have been three SMKs. All are in the name of SMK Ma'arif NU.

"And the market does welcome its graduates," he said.

According Arsyad who has been active in NU since the 1980s, the main obstacles facing his program are physical facilities such as buildings and teachers.

"In Balikpapan, for example, (students) have remained studying at a pesantren managed by Rais Syuriyah (chairman of the advisory board) of PWNU. Also, the difficulty is (related to) teaching staff"

However, he said, religious educational institutions would also be maintained, adding Ma'arif NU in Nunukan has established Islamic senior high school.

In addition, there are also educational institutions established by NU leaders, "One example is Bunga Bangsa (educational institution) in Samarinda. It goes international. It was established by former chairman of PWNU."

"Unfortunately, not all NU branches in East Kalimantan are able to run this program," he said.

Writer : Abdullah Alawi
Editor : Sudarto Murtaufiq