EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Indonesia’s Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, is not focused on the policy legacy he may leave behind. Instead, he is concerned with whether the leadership values and work culture he has introduced will continue after his tenure ends.
Mu’ti shared these reflections during an episode of Lensamu podcast aired by Muhammadiyah Channel on Thursday (4/6). Looking back on his first eighteen months in office, he highlighted two priorities: transforming learning and reforming the culture of the education bureaucracy.
Laying the Groundwork for Educational Reform
Mu’ti said his ministry has established a clear foundation for change in primary and secondary education.
“At least during these eighteen months, we have laid the foundations for educational transformation,” he said.
One example is the adoption of the deep learning approach. While he does not claim to have originated the idea, he introduced it within the ministry and said it has attracted significant international support.
He stressed that reforms must benefit people at the grassroots level. As part of that effort, teacher allowances are now paid monthly. Previously, teachers often received payments only once every three months.
A New Approach to Student Assessment
Mu’ti also addressed the long-standing debate over the National Examination. Rather than returning to the previous system, he chose what he described as a middle path.
“There was a stigma surrounding the National Examination,” he said. “I looked for a balanced solution.”
Officials deliberately avoided the word “examination.” Instead, they adopted the term “test” and focused specifically on measuring academic competence. According to Mu’ti, this approach reduces unnecessary controversy while maintaining educational standards.
Leadership That Remains Accessible
Despite discussing policy reforms, Mu’ti said the most important legacy he hopes to leave is a culture of accessible leadership.
He credited Muhammadiyah for shaping many of the values that guide his approach to public service.
Above all, he wants government officials to pursue excellence without becoming detached from the people they serve.
“I have built a culture within the ministry where officials may be elite, but they must never be elitist,” he said.
He believes leaders should remain approachable and responsive. “Do not become a leader who cannot be reached or contacted,” he added. (bunga)
