
In Indonesia, the development of Islamic
education is closely linked to the spread of Islamic
da'wah. One of the country's most prominent Islamic
educational institutions is the Islamic boarding school
(pesantren), which adapts classical education
methods to local contexts. In the contemporary era,
Islamic education in Indonesia has also seen a rise in
classical Islamic educational institutions that meet
modern needs. One notable example is the Kuttab
model of Islamic education. Unlike many modern
Islamic educational institutions, Kuttab emphasizes
teaching the Qur'an, mainly through memorization
and character development among students. This
approach highlights the importance of Kuttab in
contemporary Indonesia, where it continues to
promote and familiarize students with Islamic
education and culture despite strong globalization
influences (Nurdiyanto et al. 2024; Sofanudin et al.
2022)
Kuttab serves as a response to the increasing
demand for literacy and Islamic values in education
for Muslims. Initially, Kuttab developed in Medina
during the time of the Prophet Muhammad
Shallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, when Muslim children
learned to read and write knowledge related to Islam
(Bialfino, Masyitoh, and Suryadi 2023; Ifendi 2021)
The Kutab curriculum focuses more on studying the
Quran, Arabic, and basic calculations. This Kuttab
education model then developed with the
development of the Islamic communities in Medina,
Mecca and various other regions where Islam is Islam
(Bialfino, Masyitoh, and Suryadi 2023; Hasanah and
Suseno 2020; Ifendi 2021).
Indonesia, one of the countries with the largest
Muslim population in the world, became one of the
places where this Kuttab education model developed.
However, the development of the fixed model in
Indonesia occurred for quite a long time compared to
the early Islamic region. Some indications illustrate
that this educational model, such as Kuttab, had been
practised before the Indonesian independence period.
However, the development of Kuttab in Indonesia has
only been seen significantly and formally since 2012,
when it was reintroduced and recognised as a model
of Islamic education in Indonesia. The establishment
of the Kuttab institution is also intended to find
solutions to the shortcomings in the current education
system by integrating Islamic education with basic
literacy and numeracy skills. This was marked by the
establishment of Kuttab Al-Fatih in Depok (Bialfino,
Masyitoh, and Suryadi 2023; Hasanah and Suseno
2020).
In its subsequent development, the Kuttab
educational institution has operated in Indonesia as a
non-formal educational institution. It is an alternative
model of Islamic education that offers uniqueness and
relevance in this contemporary era. In general, Kuttab
education focuses on teaching the young generation
of Islam about Islamic values and education taught
together with basic academic skills. This is believed
to be the knowledge, principles, and fundamentals
that need to be mastered by the young generation of
Islam in the golden age of their educational
development. Furthermore, this Kuttab education
model can be accepted more widely in Indonesia with
indications that the development of Kuttab
educational institutions can be seen in various regions
in Indonesia in a relatively short period of time. This
illustrates that there is a high level of interest from the
Muslim community in Indonesia, especially parents
who want their children to get Islamic religious
education and also academic development as a
provision for the young generation of Islam (Bialfino,
Masyitoh, and Suryadi 2023).
One of the characteristics of this Kuttab learning
model is that it focuses on students at a young age at
the same level as elementary school. This educational
model also combines traditional Islamic teaching
methods with modern educational practices. This is
undoubtedly one of the attractions owned by this
Kuttab educational institution. This approach is
believed to be successful in educating the younger
generation with Islamic Knowledge and, very
importantly, instilling moral values from a young age
(Bialfino, Masyitoh, and Suryadi 2023; Hasanah and
Suseno 2020). The development of the Kuttab model
education system illustrates the significance and
relevance of Islamic religious teachings, especially in
education, which developed in the early days of Islam
and is still relevant in this contemporary era,
especially in Indonesia. Therefore, studying how the
Kuttab education model is still relevant in the modern
context is essential to understand and know.
2 METHODS
This study uses the library research method to
examine the concept and implementation of the
Kuttab education model in Indonesia in depth based
on literature that has been published in various
academic journals. This research was carried out by
collecting and analysing various relevant secondary
data sources, scientific articles, and information from
school websites that can be accessed online. In
general, the source of this research was chosen by
using the keyword "Kuttab" or "kutab," a unique
keyword that can help direct the literature to reliable
The Relevance of Classical Islamic Education in the Modern Era: A Case Study of Kuttab Islamic Schools
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