Beyond the Boundaries of Tradition: A Design Thinking Approach in Modern Pesantren Curriculum Reformulation

Abstract

This study explores the implementation of the design thinking approach in the reformulation of the curriculum of modern pesantren in Indonesia, with a case study on the Nurul Jannah Islamic Boarding School in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan. Facing the challenges of globalization and digitalization, pesantren, as the oldest Islamic educational institution in Indonesia, needs to transform the curriculum to remain relevant without losing its traditional identity. Through a qualitative approach with a single case study method, this study applies a design thinking framework that includes the stages of empathy, problem definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing. The results of the study show that the application of design thinking has succeeded in producing an integrative curriculum model with five main components: (1) Islamic Science Foundation; (2) Adaptive General Science; (3) Language Development and Digital Literacy; (4) Islamic Innovation Projects; and (5) Character Development and Soft Skills. This curriculum model shows an increase in students’ motivation to learn and critical thinking skills, as well as its effectiveness in bridging the gap between the traditional values of pesantren and the needs of modern competencies. Although implementation faces challenges in the form of resistance to change, limited teaching capacity, limited infrastructure, and a balance between standardization and contextualization, the design thinking approach has proven to offer an effective framework for the sustainable transformation of the pesantren curriculum. This research makes a theoretical and practical contribution to the development of an adaptive and competitive pesantren education model in the modern era without abandoning the roots of Islamic tradition.