MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA — In his evaluation of Indonesia’s educational development, President of Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir acknowledged the significant progress made in the sector. To further strengthen education, the Indonesian government through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology has established the National Education Roadmap and Indonesia Emas (Golden Indonesia) 2045 as strategic frameworks.
However, while highlighting the remarkable progress, Haedar emphasized that significant challenges lie ahead. One of the issues he raised is the inability of national education to reflect the fundamental values enshrined in Article 31 of the 1945 Constitution. This article underscores the importance of education in nurturing faith, piety, and noble character, while simultaneously advancing science and technology.
In this context, Haedar stressed the need for the National Education Roadmap and national education policies to adhere to the constitutional values outlined in Article 31 of the 1945 Constitution. He also emphasized the significance of Pancasila as the Indonesian state philosophy, embodying fundamental values for the Indonesian nation.
“National education must, inevitably, embody the five principles of Pancasila and cannot be reduced under any circumstances. Those who formulate these policies must have a deep understanding and commitment to consistently actualize these five principles,” Haedar stated during the National Education Day Reflection on Thursday (May 2) in Yogyakarta.
Haedar’s statement serves as a call to action for the government and education policymakers to ensure that every step taken in education policy aligns with the constitutional values and ideology of the Indonesian nation. Only then can national education become an effective tool in shaping strong character and personality for future generations.
Beyond the challenges related to constitutional values, Haedar also highlighted the need for national education to strengthen religious and cultural values in the learning process. According to him, both Article 29 of the 1945 Constitution and Indonesian history emphasize the importance of religious values as an integral part of national identity.
“National education must be founded on the living religious values of Indonesia,” Haedar asserted. Education policymakers, both in formulating the National Education Roadmap and in implementing policies, must be sensitive to religious values. They are expected not to detach religion from the education process but rather to accommodate and strengthen religious values that are part of Indonesia’s national identity.
Furthermore, Haedar underscored the importance of preserving cultural values and heritage in national education. While modernization and external influences continue to flow, education must remain rooted in Indonesia’s rich culture, which shapes the nation’s character and personality. This seeks to prevent education from neglecting the crucial values enshrined in Pancasila, religion, and Indonesia’s cherished cultural heritage.
“This is a real challenge for those who make national education policies,” Haedar said firmly.
