Synthesizing Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor Best Practices for Managing Islamic Private Schools in Thailand

Background/purpose. Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor (PMDG) is widely recognized for its effective integration of religious and general education, as well as for its instructional practices that reflect the institution’s core mottos. This study aimed to synthesize PMDG’s administrative best practices for managing Islamic private schools in Thailand.

Materials/methods. Data were gathered from 20 relevant articles on PMDG published in international journal databases between 2009 and 2022, along with in-depth interviews involving three administrators, three teachers, 15 Thai alumni, and five Thai parents whose children were studying or had studied at PMDG, selected through purposive sampling. Content analysis was employed to identify key themes, supported by illustrative interview excerpts.

Results. The findings revealed 10 components of PMDG’s administration excellence: 1) effective school leadership,
2) curriculum integration between religious and general sciences,
3) student-designed co-curricular activities, 4) mandatory teaching practicum for upper secondary students, 5) outstanding social enterprise, 6) waqf management, 7) teacher development through mentorship, 8) welfare based on life balance principles, 9) peer mentorship student support system, and 10) supportive learning environment.

Conclusion. By utilizing these components, policies can be formulated for Islamic private schools in Thailand to foster the adoption of best practices and promote excellence in the future.

Keywords: Best practice, dual education, educational administration, Islamic private school, Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor (PMDG)

References

Abdullah, N. S., & Haroon, H. A. (2024). Assessing leadership capabilities: A systematic profiling approach in higher education, The Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL) Conference 2024, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan, June 16-17, 2024.

Al Mighwar, M., Sanusi, A., Wasliman, I., & Hanafiah, N. (2021). The leadership of K.H. Imam Zarkasyi in managing of Boarding School Darussalam Gontor, International Journal of Educational Research, 4(3), 14–25.

Anggara, F. S. A., & Ulumuddin, A. I. (2021). How to create Islamic branding on LA TANSA Gontor Department Store, Jurnal Bisnis dan Manajemen, 17(1), 58-66. https://doi.org/10.23960/jbm.v17i1.218

Bahroni, I. (2012). Streaming education institution through Waqf enlargement: An experience of Gontor system, At-Ta’dib, 7(2), 339-361. https://doi.org/10.21111/at-tadib.v7i2.79

Bakoh, N., & Assalihee, M. (2020). Teaching behaviors for encouraging student’s creative thinking: A perception of Islamic studies teachers in Mueang district, Yala province, Journal of Islamic Studies, Prince of Songkla University, 11(1), 14-32.

Bell, M., & Cordingley, P. (2014). Characteristics of high-performing schools, Centre for the Use of Research and Evidence in Education, UK.

Chemee, M. (2015). Planning process operation of administrators as perceived by Islamic private schools’ personnel under the Jurisdiction of the Office of Private Education, Narathiwat Province (master thesis). Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.

Churngchow, C., & Sittichai, R. (2014). Factors related to retention behavior of teachers in Islamic private schools in three southernmost provinces in Thailand, Asian Social Sciences, 10(10), 50-56. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v10n10p50

Crum, K. S., Sherman, W. H., & Myran, S. (2010). Best practices of successful elementary school leaders, Journal of Educational Administration, 48(1), 48-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09578231011015412

Dacholfany, M. I. (2015). Leadership style in character education at The Darussalam Gontor Islamic Boarding, Al-Ulum, 15(2), 447-464. https://doi.org/10.30603/au.v15i2.212

Daniar, I. S., & Zarkasyi, A. F. (2019). Social enterprise in the context of educational institution: Lessons from Gontor, Indonesia” Opción, 35(19), 2244-2258.

Fajar, M. A. (2018). Event management strategy of Darussalam Gontor Modern Islamic Boarding School in organizing Panggung Gembira 2017, SAHAFA: Journal of Islamic Comunication, 1(1), 15-22.

Fasa, M. I. (2017). Gontor, as a contemporary Islamic learning institution, is transforming toward modernity. Hunafa: Jurnal Studia Islamika, 14(1), 141-174. https://doi.org/10.24239/jsi.v14i1.462.141-174

Fatihah, I. (2018). Kepemimpinan KH. Imam Zarkasyi di Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor, Journal of Islamic Education Management, 2(2), 26-43. https://doi.org/10.24235/jiem.v2i2.3407

Hardoyo, H. (2009). Kurikulum tersembunyi Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor, At-Ta’dib, 4(2), 191-208.

Hayeedoloh, Z. (2018). The state of academic administration in Islamic private schools under the Jurisdiction of the Office of Private Education, Pattani Province (master thesis). Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.

Heriyudanta, M., & Hakim, L. (2020). The development model of modern Islamic education in Indonesia (study over the Modern Islamic Boarding School of Darussalam Gontor Ponorogo), ICIS 2020: Proceeding of the 2nd International Conference on Islamic, October 27-28, Ponorogo, Indonesia, 88-95. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.27-10-2020.2304168

Ismail, M. (2011). Sistem pendidikan pesantren modern studi kasus pendidikan Pesantren Modern Darussalam Gontor Ponorogo, At-Ta’dib, 6(1), 147-67. https://doi.org/10.21111/at-tadib.v6i1.553

Jahwae, A. (2018). Problems and guidelines for development of academic affairs management in Islamic private schools under the Jurisdiction of the Office of Private Education, Pattani Province (master thesis). Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.

Kannapel, P. J., Clements, S. K., Taylor, D., & Hibpshman, T. (2005). Inside the black box of High-Performing High-Poverty Schools, Retrieved from http://www.prichardcommittee.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Inside-the-Black-Box.pdf

Lateh, A., Thongsuk, J., Machae, D., Masae, A., Lateh, A., Khongpheng, S., & Pooteh, R. (2023). Expectations and future models for Islamic private schools in the deep south of Thailand, Research Report, Thailand: Prince of Songkla University.

Malee, M. (2017). Work life quality of teachers in Islamic private school under the Office of the Private Education in Pattani Province (master thesis). Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.

Mariyat, M. A. (2011). Developing human resources through hidden curriculum: The experience of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor, Indonesia, At-Ta'dib, 6(1), 35-58. https://doi.org/10.21111/at-tadib.v6i1.546

McGee, G. W. (2009). Closing the achievement gap: Lessons from Illinois’ golden spike high-poverty high-performing schools, Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk, 9(2), 97-125. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327671espr0902_2

Ministry of Education. (2012). The Islamic studies curriculum BE 2546 (Revised BE 2555), Ladprao Teachers' Council Printing House.

Ministry of Education. (2008). The basic education core curriculum BE 2551, Ladprao Teachers' Council Printing House.

Ministry of Education. (2017). The basic education core curriculum BE 2551 (Revised BE 2560),” Ladprao Teachers' Council Printing House.

Mu’minah, N. (2016). Character building dalam konsep pendidikan Imam Zarkasyi ditinjau dari filsafat moral Ibnu Miskawaih, Jurnal Filsafat, 25(1), 100-133. https://doi.org/10.22146/jf.12616

Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor. (2020). Sejarah Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor, Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor, 2020.

Pratiwi, S. (2020). Development of Muallimin curriculum model based on Muadallah system: A case study of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor, Indonesia (master thesis). Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.

Rofiq, A. C., Mujahidin, A., Choiri, M. M., & Wakhid, A. A. (2019). The moderation of Islam in the modern Islamic Boarding School of Gontor, Analisis Jurnal Studi Keislaman, 19(2), 227-250. https://doi.org/10.24042/ajsk.v19i2.5235

Saifulloh, A., & Neoh, J. Y. (2022). TQM implementation in character education: Lessons learned from Pesantren Gontor, At-Ta’dib, 17(1), 18-35. https://doi.org/10.21111/at-tadib.v17i1.8047

Salae, S. (2015). States, problems, and guidelines on operations in strategic management of Islamic private schools under the Office of Private Education, Pattani Province (master thesis). Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.

Shannon, G. S., & Bylsma, P. (2007). The nine characteristics of high-performing schools: A research-based resource for schools and districts to assist with improving student learning, 2nd ed., OSPI, Olympia, WA.

Susilo, A. A., Nurdianawati, I., & Che Embi, N. A. (2021). The concept of Gontor's literacy on Waqf as a model to achieve Waqf inclusion and increase cash Waqf, The International Islamic Economic System Conference-The 9th I-iECONS 2021.

Syam, A. R., Alfatin, N., & Maisyaroh, M. (2020). Strategy for establishment santri leadership character, ISTAWA: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam (IJPI), 5(1), 39-49.

Syamsuri, S., Arif, S., Fedro, A., & Wibisono, V. F. (2020). Critic analysis of responsibility practices of Waqf institution: Reason condition from Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor, TSAQAFAH Jurnal Peradaban Islam, 16(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.21111/tsaqafah.v16i1.3572

Utomo, B. S., & Pawito, P. (2019). Strategy Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor to unite multicultural students, International Conference on Islamic Education (ICIE), 21-23 Nov 2017 Sunway Putra Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 227-250.

Vasinayanuwatana, T., Ketsing, J., Pongsophon, P., & Chattham, N. (2019). Current state, problem, need and readiness for STEM education in Islamic private schools, Journal of Education, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, 30(1), 96-110.

Waehama, M., Songmuang, J., Assalihee, M., Boonsuk, Y., & Saithon, S. (2021). Twenty-first century desirable characteristics of Islamic studies learners in Thai private Islamic schools, Journal of Information and Learning, 32(2), 40-50.

Waheed, Z., Hussin, S., & Kamaluddin Megat Daud, M. A. (2017). The best practices for school transformation: A multiple-case study, Journal of Educational Administration, 56(6), http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JEA-11-2016-0136

Wang, J., Hussain, Y., Mao, C., & Jiang, F. (2025). Effective educational management strategies: Enhancing institutional performance and student success, Journal of Education, Humanities, and Social Research, 2(2), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.71222/yqw52v02

Wanglee, S. (2013). Implementation of strategic planning of private Islamic schools in Satun province (master thesis). Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.

Wisnu, N. Z. (2020). Pergolakan Santri Pondok Pesantren Modern Darussalam Gontor 1965-1967, AVATARA, e-Journal Pendidikan Sejarah, 9(2), 1-15.

Zarkasyi, H. F. (2020). Imam Zarkasyi’s modernization of Pasantren in Indonesia (A case study of Darussalam Gontor), Qudus International Journal of Islamic Studies (QIJIS), 8(1), 161-200. https://doi.org/10.21043/qijis.v8i1.5760

Zarkasyi, H. F. (2022). Gontor educational reform (holistic integrative system of education), Paper presented at University of Darussalam Gontor.

Announcement

EDUPIJ Citation Metrics

EDUPIJ News!