MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, SLEMAN – With a population of over 281 million, Indonesia faces a major challenge in providing quality education for all. This responsibility cannot be carried out by the government alone. It requires strong collaboration with the private sector.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new TK ‘Aisyiyah Bustanul Athfal (TK ABA) Semesta in Sleman on Tuesday, June 3, President of Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir said Muhammadiyah has played a key role in advancing education in Indonesia, starting even before the country gained independence.
“Muhammadiyah has pioneered early childhood education through ‘Aisyiyah. From the very beginning, we’ve provided education for the nation regardless of people’s backgrounds,” said Haedar Nashir.
Today, more than 20,000 early childhood education institutions (TK ABA) under ‘Aisyiyah operate across Indonesia and even abroad. This, Haedar noted, is a clear sign of Muhammadiyah commitment to helping educate the nation.
Muhammadiyah educational efforts go beyond early childhood. The organization also manages elementary schools, junior and senior high schools, and universities—many of which outnumber government-run institutions.
Given this contribution, Haedar called on policymakers to ensure fairness in creating education-related laws and regulations. He urged the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to recognize the strategic role of private institutions.
“Decisions such as the recent ruling by the Constitutional Court should be made thoughtfully. Policies must not harm private education because doing so would also harm national education,” said Haedar.
Haedar questioned whether the government alone could truly take on the responsibilities currently carried by private schools, which have consistently demonstrated both capability and adaptability in responding to change.
“I hope those drafting and deciding on policies, whether in government, parliament, or the courts will be thoughtful. They should consider the Constitution, the public good, and the reality of education in Indonesia, that private institutions play a vital role,” said Haedar.
Haedar referred to the court’s ruling supporting free nine-year education for all. While the intention is good, he stressed that it should be implemented carefully, with a clear understanding of how education in Indonesia works, especially how dependent it is on both state and private providers.
Haedar also called for equal treatment of public and private institutions. If state-run schools are allowed to operate as legal entities with business opportunities, the same flexibility should be offered to private schools. He argued that this would help them remain financially sustainable.
Most private schools, especially those run by Muhammadiyah, are not driven by profit. If there are one or two that are, that shouldn’t be the reason to base national decisions on.
