MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – In the momentum of National Teacher’s Day, Chairman of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah, Irwan Akib, emphasized that teachers remain the main pillar of national development as well as agents of progress in facing the continuously evolving digital era.
According to him, the progress of civilization greatly depends on the quality of human resources, and teachers are at the forefront in shaping intelligent, strong-charactered, and competitive generations.
“Not only are teachers responsible for transferring knowledge, they also shape morality, personality, and become role models for students,” he asserted on Tuesday (25/11).
Irwan believes that teacher competence must continuously be strengthened in four dimensions: academic, pedagogical, social, and personal. These four aspects serve as the foundation of teacher professionalism as well as essential capital to face new challenges in the world of education.
Amid the rapid development of technology, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in learning, Irwan reminded that technology is merely a supporting tool. The role of teachers will not be replaced when it comes to nurturing, instilling values, and building humanistic interaction with students.
“In the digital era, teachers must be adaptive, yet still maintain the human dimension. Technology must not replace the teacher’s function as a guide and even counselor for students,” he stated.
He also stressed the importance of digital literacy and technology ethics for both teachers and students. Technology that is not well-directed may trigger misuse, digital plagiarism, and even weaken critical thinking skills.
Strengthening the message of National Teacher’s Day, Irwan supports the enhancement of an educational ecosystem that honors the teaching profession. Teachers must continuously be encouraged to become lifelong learners and agents of social change within society.
“The more advanced a nation becomes, the more noble the position of its teachers. Therefore, improving teacher competence and welfare must be a continuous agenda,” he conveyed.
At the end of his message, Irwan delivered his appreciation to all teachers who have devoted themselves sincerely to educating the nation’s future generations.
“Happy National Teacher’s Day. May Indonesian teachers always be granted health, sincerity, and the spirit to continue enlightening civilization,” he concluded.
