INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ISLAMIC EDUCATION HELD IN JAKARTA

            Jakarta - Over 150 scholars, officials, teachers and international donors would work together in an symposium in Jakarta to develop strategies to "bridge the gap" between Islamic and general schools in Indonesia, a joint media release from the Australian Embassy and Ministry of Religious Affairs said.

            According to the release, the International Symposium on Islamic Education was opened by the Ministry of Religious Affairs Secretary General, Professor Bahrul Hayat, and Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, at Jakarta's UIN Syarif Hidayatullah on Tuesday (24/07).

            On the occasion Professor Hayat expressed hope that the symposium would generate a number of practical ways to "help bridge the gap between Islamic schools and general schools in Indonesia." 

            He said the forum would bring together a number of qualified Indonesian and international scholars to share their experiences and their ideas for taking Islamic education forward.

            Issues to be discussed include ways to improve the quality of teaching and learning in Islamic schools and the role of Islamic schooling in the Indonesian Government's plan for national education.

            Another focus issue is how to implement the Grand Design for Nine Years of Basic Education in Indonesia, a strategy prepared jointly by the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Religious Affairs earlier this year, and the potential progress to be achieved under the strategy by 2025.

             Meanwhile, Bill Farmer said he hoped the symposium would help stimulate real debate among officials, practitioners, scholars and donors on how to better shape and strengthen the Islamic education system.

            "These issues are critical for Indonesia's future, given the important role Islamic schools play in this country," Farmer said.

            The 24-25 July symposiums is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Australian Government, through its international development agency, AusAID.

            The event - the Basic Education in Islamic Schools in Indonesia: Bridging the Gap Vision 2025 Symposium - is being funded under a five-year A$30 million (IDR 225 billion) Australian Government program (LAPIS), which aims to improve the quality of basic Islamic education in Indonesia (Antara, 25/07/07).