Introduction
Discussing the problem of pesantren within the context of Islamic education is important in the current period, after the enactment of Undang-undang (law or set regulations produced by the legislative council) no. 20, 2003 and Peraturan Pemerintah (a set of regulations produced the government) no. 55, 2007 that place the pesantren in the same position as other educational institutions, it has been paid more attention by the government by

providing more budget in the APBN (Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Negara / National Budget and Expenses) and APBD (Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Daerah/regional budget and expenses) for its more intensive improvement. On this basis, this short article will be focused on how the pesantren should be improved in the future.

The Current Development of Pesantren
When the 2003 regulation no. 20 on the system of national education (Sistem Pendidikan Nasional/Sisdikas) was agreed upon thanks to participation of society and after the long discussion involving the government, experts on education, religious scholars and pesantren communities, the problem raised was how improve the quality of the educational system in the pesantren. This question has been relevant, because, as stated in some mass media, the quality of education in Indonesia has been lower that in other Southeast Asian countries.

The pesantren education (in a broader sense) is held along the day. It is different from that ini other educational institutions that provide it only eight hours day. On this basis, it is reasonable that the quality of pesantren education has the opportunity to be the best. In terms its quantity, there are in the current period 14.067 pesantrens all over Indonesia and 3.149.374 students (santris). Among these, more then 8.000 pesantren teaching of religious subject matters which are elaborated in “Kitab Kuning” (“yellow” books). Meanwhile, the rest in considered as pesantren no salafi in which the students not only learn religious teaching, but also natural sciences like biology, physics, chemistry and mathematic and social sciences as well as language in formal school such as junior and senior high schools that are available within or outside the pesantren. (The author as Directorate of Diniyah and Pesantren Education Ministry of Religious Affairs). (This article only a summary, to get the full text please contact admin web, use the contact form)