Strategies for Strengthening Islamic Boarding School Management: Overcoming Regulatory Gaps in the Implementation of Law Number 18 of 2019

Law Number 18 of 2019 on Islamic Boarding School (pesantren) serves as an important legal foundation in strengthening state recognition of the existence and function of pesantren within the national education system. However, its implementation still faces gaps between regulatory substance and actual pesantren conditions, particularly regarding policy synchronization, administrative requirements, resource availability, and access to government coaching and support. This study aims to analyze the implementation of Law Number 18 of 2019, identify regulatory gaps, and analyze its implications for pesantren governance in Indonesia. The study employed a library research method with descriptive analysis. Data were obtained from relevant laws and regulations, books, and journal articles. The findings indicated that the implementation of the Pesantren Law has strengthened institutional legitimacy and encouraged transparency, accountability, effectiveness, and professionalism in pesantren governance. Nevertheless, gaps remain in the form of weak central–regional synchronization, administrative requirements that do not align with traditional pesantren characteristics, disparities in access to assistance, as well as human resource and technological limitations. These conditions drive changes in institutional structure, financial management, human resources, and curriculum. Strengthening governance needs to be achieved through regulatory harmonization, capacity building for administrators, professional management, inter-pesantren networking, and the utilization of adaptive technology.