Abstract:

Kelantan is the most popular state in Malaysia in term of the development of Islamic education. It has been known as “Serambi Mekah (Verandah of Mecca)” because of this exceptional development. One of the aspects of this development is the traditional education in Kelantan known as “pondok studies” which started to flourish since early 19th century and manage to exist up to present day. Many studies have been done on the influence of this kind of education in the history of Islamic education in Kelantan. It is admitted that the present situation of pondok studies in Kelantan is not as active as it used to but this traditional system of Islamic education manage to show their present in modern society especially in Kelantan. There are at least 14 pondoks in Kelantan that are still in operation, some are very famous, and some are just newly established in the last two decades. These 14 pondoks still maintain their traditional education methods in the mid of modern Islamic religious school which become the mainstream schools in Malay/Muslim society in Kelantan. This study explores this development and to give some perspectives on their future prospects.

Keywords:

Traditional education, pondok, Kelantan.