The Contribution of Pesantren to Sustainable and Social Education: A Narrative Review

Abdulhaviz Hile; Muhammad Arfan Mu’ammar

doi:10.56741/IISTR.pbpsp.001900

Authors

Abdulhaviz Hile
abd.haviz@hotmail.com
Muhammadiyah Association for Thailand
Muhammad Arfan Mu’ammar Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56741/IISTR.pbpsp.001900

Keywords:

Eco-pesantren, Pesantren, SDGs, Social Empowerment, Sustainable Education

Abstract

Pesantren, as Islamic educational institutions, play a crucial role in shaping the character of students (santri) and contributing to community development. This study conducts a narrative review to examine the role of pesantren in sustainable and social education by reviewing literature published between 2015 and 2025. The search strategy included national and international journal databases using keywords such as “pesantren AND sustainable education,” “eco‑pesantren,” and “community empowerment.” Out of 120 identified articles, 52 met the inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis revealed four primary roles of pesantren: (1) integration of sustainable education principles (edu-ecoliteracy), (2) development of eco-pesantren and environmental awareness, (3) social and economic community empowerment, and (4) strengthening of social character and leadership among students. The findings also highlight significant challenges, including limited resources, inadequate policy support, and low digital literacy. This study confirms that pesantren are strategic actors in sustainable and social education, providing recommendations for future research on evaluating eco-pesantren programs, developing sustainable curricula, and integrating educational technology.

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Author Biographies

Abdulhaviz Hile, Muhammadiyah Association for Thailand

is an education scientist and senior lecturer, serving as President of the Muhammadiyah Association in Thailand. He actively participates as a keynote speaker at numerous international conferences, contributing to global educational discourse. (abd.haviz@hotmail.com).

Muhammad Arfan Mu’ammar, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya

is a lecturer and Head of the Master’s Program in Islamic Education at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya, Indonesia. He has authored over eight books, published widely in national and international journals, and serves as a reviewer for several scholarly publications. (arfanmuammar@fai.um-surabaya.ac.id).

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