Jakarta (Ministry of Education and Culture) – The 2017 National Education Day (Hardiknas) commemoration takes the theme 'Accelerate Equal and Quality Education'. The government through the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) invites all parties to carry out national education reform, at the conceptual and managerial levels, in order to realize educational development that can lead the nation and state to glory in the future.
"In the conceptual level, efforts are now being made to make character the foundation and spirit of national education. Character building must be a priority at the elementary education level," said the Minister of Education and Culture (Mendikbud) Muhadjir Effendy in his speech at the flag ceremony commemorating National Education Day at the Kemendikbud office, Jakarta, Tuesday (2-5-2017).Strong character, according to the Minister of Education and Culture, will be a solid foundation for today's students. Then perfected with the mastery of various life skills, vocations and professions of the 21st century. The Character Education Strengthening Program (PPK) and the National Literacy Movement (GLN) are expected to be the gateway for rolling out educational reform, both in the central environment, as well as in the local government environment, educational units, even in the community and family environment.
Currently, the Ministry of Education and Culture continues to strive for alignment, unification, and integration of the cultural field with education. Likewise with the utilization of various learning resources in the classroom, school environment, and outside the school. This is done to present an open, flexible learning process and provide freedom for the actors.
Ahead of National Education Day 2017, on April 27, the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR-RI) passed the Law on Cultural Advancement and the Law on the Book System. Both legislative products are expected to support the national education reform rolled out by the government.
The Minister of Education and Culture said that culture has become the root of education. Therefore, the Law on the Advancement of Culture becomes a reference in efforts to protect, develop, utilize, and foster so that Indonesian culture can grow resiliently in the face of the current of change.
The Book System Law has a strategic role for the government in efforts to improve the literacy of the community, especially students. It is hoped that with a good book system, a better literacy culture can be developed. "The fulfillment of ownership of this literacy culture can be encouraged and developed through the availability of quality, cheap or affordable, and evenly distributed books," explained the Minister of Education and Culture.
Strengthening Character Education
Strengthening Character Education in 2017 will target at least 1500 schools throughout Indonesia. It is expected that schools at the elementary school level (SD and SMP) can become examples of the implementation of good PPK practices for their surroundings.
The five main character values that are prioritized in PPK are closely related to various priority programs of the Ministry of Education and Culture in the field of education and culture. The Minister of Education and Culture gave an example, the plan to strengthen the role of teachers and principals that is currently being prepared by the Ministry of Education and Culture to encourage the revitalization of the role and function of principals as managers and teachers as inspirators of PPK.
Religious character values reflect faith in the Almighty God which is manifested in behavior that carries out religious teachings and beliefs that are adhered to, respects religious differences, upholds a tolerant attitude towards the implementation of religious worship and other beliefs, and lives in harmony and peace with adherents of other religions.
The value of nationalist character is a way of thinking, behaving and acting that shows loyalty, concern and high appreciation for the language, physical, social, cultural, economic and political environment of the nation, placing the interests of the nation and state above the interests of oneself and one's group.
The independent character value is an attitude and behavior that does not depend on others and uses all energy, thoughts, time to realize hopes, dreams and ideals. While the mutual cooperation character value reflects the act of appreciating the spirit of cooperation and working together to solve problems together, establishing communication and friendship, providing assistance/help to people in need.
And the value of integrity character is a value that underlies behavior that is based on efforts to make oneself a person who can always be trusted in words, actions, and work, has commitment and loyalty to humanitarian and moral values.
With the occurrence of integrated character-based learning in schools and outside of school, it is expected to produce a young generation that is competitive and has a positive character. "The main values of the PPK character are not only targeted at students, but also at educators, and parents as the main and first educators," explained the Minister of Education and Culture.
Revitalization of Vocational Schools and National Priority Targets
In addition to Strengthening Character Education and the National Literacy Movement, in 2017 the Ministry of Education and Culture revitalized vocational secondary education in accordance with Presidential Instruction Number 9 of 2016 concerning Revitalization of Vocational High Schools in the Framework of Improving the Quality and Competitiveness of Indonesian Human Resources. According to the President, increasing the productivity of the younger generation is a strategic matter that needs to be managed well so that Indonesia is able to win the competition between countries in the free market era.
Improvement of curriculum and learning methods to be more in line with the business world and industry, as well as improving the quality of educators through internship programs and dual skills certification are the targets of vocational school revitalization. In addition, to facilitate the competency certification process for vocational school graduates, a program is carried out to establish educational units as First Party Competency Certification Institutions (LSP). No less than 1650 vocational schools throughout Indonesia are the targets of this institutional strengthening program.
Increasing access to education services is achieved by improving the distribution system of the Smart Indonesia Card (KIP). Since 2015, the Smart Indonesia Program (PIP) has helped more than 19 million children from underprivileged families throughout Indonesia to continue attending school. In addition to helping to ease the personal burden of students, the School Operational Assistance (BOS) is a manifestation of the government's commitment to completing compulsory education. The Ministry of Education and Culture also continues to implement various affirmative policies such as repairing and providing physical facilities for classrooms and school buildings, especially those that have been severely damaged or are located in the outermost, most remote and disadvantaged areas.
Synergy between education and culture actors is the main key to the success of national education development. The Minister of Education and Culture said that education reform is a long process and needs to be implemented systematically, gradually and requires constructive participation. Strengthening the role and level of community participation in education is carried out through the revitalization of the School Committee.
Reflection of the Teachings of the Father of National Education
On the National Education Day, the Minister of Education and Culture invited all education personnel to reflect and re-examine the ideas and principles of the father of national education, Ki Hajar Dewantara. He said that this was the basis for President Joko Widodo's vision and mission in the field of education.
In terms of educational leadership, the Minister of Education and Culture advised that educational leaders should not forget to implement the concept of "Laku Telu", or the three roles recommended by Ki Hajar Dewantara in their entirety. In Javanese, "Ing ngarso sung tuladha, ing madya mangun karso, tut wuri handayani" which means if in front, give an example, if in the middle, give inspiration, and if behind, give encouragement.
"These three roles need to be carried out carefully, both alternately and simultaneously in the form of a complete educational leader," he advised educators.
Happy National Education Day! Let's move education reform, realize equitable and quality education.
(Bureau of Communication and Public Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Government Communication Team of the Ministry of Communication and Informatics)