ISLAMIC EDUCATION WITH REFERENCE TO PONDOK IN PATANI: SOME REFLECTIONS

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to discuss Islamic education in Pondok includes textbooks and its curriculums. The Pondok education could not be ignored in the local Malay-Muslims society of southern Thailand but the study of Islam at Pondok compared to the study of Islam at the local universities is so far being disturbed. Although there have been attempts to introduce Pondok education in government universities such as Prince of Songkhla University (PSU). There was no attempt to integrate the two systems of education together. To a large extent, the two systems are offered and studied in isolation. The paper concludes that the government should recognize the existence of Pondok education institutions as an alternative choice for the local Malay-speaking population to study Islam in the kingdom. The study suggests that adequate attention has to be given by the authority for the improvement of Pondok education.