The Growth of Islamic Schools in Sintang in The Colonial Era, 1901-1942

2026-03-10T07:16:34+00:00

This research is intended as a preliminary study of the historical journey of Islamic schools in Sintang during the Dutch colonial era (1901-1942), which has rarely been discussed. The transformation of Islamic education from traditional to formal-modern also occurred in the upper Kapuas River, not only on the west coast. The research uses a historical method with the following stages: source collection, source criticism, interpretation, and historical writing (historiography). The results of the study indicate: First, the condition of Islamic education in Sintang in the early 20th century was organized non-formally and traditionally, where institutions such as mosques and langgar became places of learning. The curriculum focused on religious lessons by ustads who came from all over the archipelago. Second, the existence of the Wild School Ordinance and the development of Pan-Islamism regarding educational reform encouraged traditional Islamic education to transform into formal schools by adopting a modern (general) curriculum. By 1942, a number of Islamic schools were established around Sintang, Melawi, and Kapuas Hulu. Third, the implemented curriculum adopted a number of general subjects such as reading and writing Latin letters, arithmetic, natural sciences, geography, and drawing, in addition to religious subjects. The length of education is estimated to be similar to the three-year Volkschool and the five-year Standardschool. The existence of Islamic schools has had an impact on the growth of educated native Indonesians and fostered a spirit of nationalism. This was evident after the Japanese occupation of 1942-1945, when young people around Sintang became involved in the struggle to maintain Indonesian independence. This research is expected to contribute to the historiography of local history and serve as study material for further research.

Keywords: Islamic School, Madrasah, Sintang, West Kalimantan, Curriculum

Borneo International Journal eISSN 2636-9826

The Growth of Islamic Schools in Sintang in The Colonial Era, 1901-1942