MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – The Secretary-General of Muhammadiyah and the Indonesian Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti announced a new initiative aimed at fostering positive habits in Indonesian children. He introduced the “7 Habits of Great Indonesian Children” program, set to launch in January.
The program, Mu’ti explained, focuses on cultivating seven key habits in children, including waking up early, praying, exercising, enjoying learning, eating a healthy diet, being socially engaged, and getting enough sleep. This program is designed to instill positive habits in children and strengthen their character.
To ensure the success of this initiative, Mu’ti emphasized the importance of active involvement from both parents and teachers. He also suggested reactivating home-based education to support the program.
Teachers can ask students about their morning routines to motivate them to develop good habits such as waking up early and praying.
Mu’ti highlighted that this program is a long-term endeavor aimed at building a more civilized society.
“By cultivating good habits, we can shape the character of our nation and create a more civilized society. Character education should be enjoyable, not intimidating,” said Mu’ti during the Muhammadiyah Day celebration at Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof.Dr.Hamka (Uhamka) on Sunday, November 3,.
In addition to the new character education program, Mu’ti addressed the ongoing debate surrounding the school zoning policy, which was introduced by his predecessor, Muhadjir Effendy. While the policy aims to reduce disparities between elite and ordinary schools, it has also faced criticism.
Mu’ti explained that zoning was introduced to prevent the psychological and social segregation caused by such disparities. This policy aims to ensure fair access to education for all. While acknowledging that some parents support zoning for its potential benefits, such as securing a place in a popular school, others feel it limits their choices.
Under Mu’ti’s leadership, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has adopted the tagline “Education for All” to emphasize its commitment to equitable access to education. Mu’ti expressed his desire to shift the focus of education from mere achievement to deep learning.
“Our education system should be more mindful, meaningful, and joyful to support the holistic development of our students,” he said.
