Deskripsi
Indonesia’s “big bang” decentralization at the beginning of the Reform era marked a significant shift in public governance, including the education sector. Decentralization was expected to enhance local participation, strengthen accountability, and foster institutional autonomy. Within this broader reform context, Madrasahs—Islamic schools administered under the Ministry of Religious Affairs—occupy a distinctive position in Indonesia’s dual education system.
This updated edition revisits more than two decades of decentralization policy and its implications for Madrasah education. While authority in general education was largely devolved to local governments, Madrasahs have continued to operate within a predominantly centralized administrative framework. Over time, evolving policy dynamics—including indications of policy recalibration at the national level and varying local governance capacities—have shaped the practical implementation of decentralization.
The book shows that although decentralization introduced new governance arrangements, structural transformation within Madrasah education has been gradual. Many developments and improvements have been closely associated with bureaucratic reform initiatives rather than with fully institutionalized local autonomy. By offering a careful empirical examination of policy evolution, institutional adaptation, and governance dynamics, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how decentralization unfolds within Indonesia’s Islamic education system.
