Jakarta, ThedailyID — The Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the British Council launched their first collaboration to strengthen the capacity of English teachers in madrasahs across Indonesia. The initiative responds to the growing importance of English proficiency in expanding students’ access to higher education and global academic networks.
Indonesia has 41,833 madrasah teachers nationwide. Strengthening teacher quality therefore remains a strategic step to address global education challenges. The collaboration began with the signing of a memorandum of understanding in November 2025. The partners then ran an eight-week professional development program that concluded with an in-person workshop at the ministry’s headquarters in Jakarta in late February 2026.
Nasaruddin Umar, Minister of Religious Affairs, said the collaboration represents a concrete step toward supporting the ministry’s strategic programs. He added that the initiative also supports the Indonesia–United Kingdom Strategic Partnership agreement signed by Prabowo Subianto and Keir Starmer in January 2026, which identifies education as a key pillar of cooperation.
He explained that madrasah teachers play a strategic role in building students with strong religious foundations while also opening access to global education opportunities. Strengthening teachers’ English proficiency and pedagogical skills therefore remains essential to meet evolving international education dynamics.
Mapping and Pilot Program
The collaboration between the Directorate of Madrasah Teachers and Education Personnel (GTK Madrasah) at the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the British Council began with competency mapping to measure pedagogical skills and English proficiency among MTs and MA teachers. The partners also launched a pilot Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program to guide future teacher development initiatives.
Summer Xia, Country Director Indonesia and Director Southeast Asia at the British Council, said 613 teachers from nearly all provinces across Indonesia completed the training. The program combined structured online learning, weekly live sessions, and support from trained e-moderators to ensure educators could access high-quality professional development from anywhere.
The data-driven approach offers a clearer picture of teachers’ development needs. The findings will also support future education policy planning and professional training strategies.
Changes in the Classroom
During the eight-week program, teachers adopted more student-centered approaches and encouraged more active classroom interaction. Many participants also reported higher confidence in using English during lessons, which increased student participation.
Ni’Matus Zahroh, an English teacher from MTsN 15 Jombang, said professional development opportunities for madrasah educators remain limited. She explained that the program helps teachers create engaging lessons while inspiring students to keep learning and grow into faithful and knowledgeable generations.
Towards Wider Expansion
As a pilot initiative, the program provides a foundation for broader expansion. Although the 613 participants represent only a small portion of Indonesia’s 41,833 madrasah teachers, the tested model opens opportunities for wider training access and stronger professional learning communities.
The British Council said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to building a measurable and impactful education system. The collaboration also aims to strengthen capacity building and knowledge transfer while ensuring sustainable long-term solutions.
