Dream - Pondok Pesantren or commonly abbreviated as Ponpes is an Islamic educational institution that is one of the parents' choices to fulfill their children's education. Pondok Pesantren not only provides knowledge in the form of religious teachings, but also general knowledge, and it is even modern-based. Therefore, the students who seek knowledge at Pondok Pesantren can still keep up with the times and also have a strong religious foundation.

This also makes parents who will enroll their children in Pondok Pesantren covered with worries. Parents should not need to feel excessive worry, because in Indonesia there are many Pondok Pesantren that can be trusted to educate their children well. Well, here are some tips for choosing a good and safe Pondok Pesantren for children as summarized by Dream through various sources.

The first tip is to choose a boarding school that is suitable for the cultural affiliation of your family. This means that if you have a background in Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), then look for a NU boarding school. Meanwhile, if you have an affiliation with Muhammadiyah, then look for a Muhammadiyah boarding school, and so on.

In Indonesia, there are two types of Pondok Pesantren, namely salaf (traditional) and modern (integrated, ashriyah). Salaf Pondok Pesantren focuses more on studying yellow books with a traditional system, such as sorogan, wetonan, and bandongan. Meanwhile, modern Pondok Pesantren combines religious and general knowledge, and has educational levels, such as Tsanawiyah and Aliyah. In addition, modern Pondok Pesantren also provides various extracurricular activities like in public schools.

The next tip is to pay attention to the cost of education. This becomes one of the important factors in the teaching and learning process at the Islamic boarding school. Each boarding school certainly sets different cost policies. Depending on the system, facilities, infrastructure, and educators. So, parents should first look at the financial condition before choosing a suitable boarding school. This is to ensure that the learning process can run smoothly until completion.

In choosing a Pondok Pesantren, it is important to pay attention to the facilities provided. Because these facilities will later support the learning process of the students, which will have an impact on the students' output. Considering that the facilities of each Pondok Pesantren are different. This is also related to the costs that have been determined by each pesantren.

"In addition to costs and facilities, each Pesantren also has different activities for students. So, it is important for parents to conduct a survey first and know the needs of their child. For example, if they want their child to memorize the Quran, then choose a Pesantren that focuses on memorizing the Quran."

The next important tip to consider when choosing a Pondok Pesantren is to pay attention to its educational curriculum. This should be adjusted according to the child's abilities. Because there are many children who later do not feel comfortable at the Pesantren because they are unable to keep up with their studies. Although these abilities can be improved over time, each child's abilities are still different.

Parents who choose a Pondok Pesantren for their child must pay attention to the location of the Pesantren. The Pesantren should be easily accessible, making it convenient for parents to visit their child. It is advisable to choose a Pesantren that is far from home. This is to train the child to become stronger and more independent. Nevertheless, parents should also be prepared to be separated from their child.

The last tip is to pay attention to the comfort and safety of the Pesantren. This is equally important because it is related to the comfort and safety of the child. Besides the child being able to learn well, parents also feel at ease when their child is in a safe environment.