Bullying in Islamic Boarding Schools: Islamic and Criminal Law Perspectives

The Phenomenon of Bullying in Islamic Boarding Schools

Pesantren as a religious-based educational institution, in studying, exploring, understanding, appreciating, and applying Islamic values must focus or emphasize behavior or morals in accordance with Islamic values as a benchmark for behavior.

According to data from the SAPA 129 service, cases of bullying in educational environments, both in schools and pesantren in 2023, reached 49 cases with 63 victims.

In early 2024, on February 23, the death of Bintang Balqis Maulana (14) opened the door to bullying cases at Pondok Pesantren. He is a student of Al-Hanifiyyah Islamic Boarding School in Mojo, Kediri Regency, East Java. On his body, there were a number of bruises, cigarette burns on his legs, neck wounds, a broken nose, and chest wounds.

Sadly, the pesantren claimed that Bintang's death was caused by falling in the bathroom. In fact, the caretaker of the boarding school was unaware of the tragedy that befell his students. This shows how little supervision is done by the pesantren.

Bullying in boarding schools has become a routine that always happens. Throughout 2023, there were various cases of bullying within the pesantren. In December 2023, a student with the initials H (18) from the Husnul Khotimah Islamic Boarding School was killed by his friend.

A similar case also occurred in September 2023, a student at an Islamic boarding school in Temanggung with the initials MNF (15) died as a result of bullying. Meanwhile, in March 2023, a 16-year-old student at a boarding school in Bangkalan, Madura died with serious bruises on his back, arms and chest.

Factors of Bullying in Islamic Boarding Schools

There are several factors that cause rampant bullying in the pesantren environment, such as:

(1) Seniority

Students who have been in boarding school for a long time usually feel more powerful than new students. This also applies to students with older ages towards younger students.

(2) Away from Parental Supervision

Santri come from various regions with different cultures and customs. Students who do not have good socialization skills will have difficulty adapting to the new environment.

(3) The number of rules set in the pesantren

This is sometimes justur considered rigid and less effective in regulating the negative behavior of the santri. Although these rules aim to improve santri discipline, they are often perceived as restraints.

(4) No Firm Action from the Boarding School

The lack of supervision and guidance of students opens up opportunities for repeated bullying in pesantren.

(5) The existence of a "Disposal Site" label

Santri in boarding schools are usually based on the will of their parents, not according to their own consciousness. In the community, pesantren are often labeled as "rehabilitation places" or "dumping grounds" for children who have deviant actions. Instead of receiving guidance, students with poor morals often cause trouble and misbehave in the pesantren.