Introductory Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at Limited Cabinet Meeting on the 2020-2035 Education Road Map (Through Video Conference), Thursday, 4 June 2020 at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Distinguished Vice President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This afternoon’s Limited Cabinet Meeting will resume the discussion on Education Road Map for 2020-2035, so that it will be more focused from what we have discussed in the previous meetings.
We have to anticipate major changes that occurred worldwide, ranging from technological disruption that affects all sectors, such as the application of automation, Artificial Intelligence, big data, to Internet of Things (IoT), and others. We must also anticipate changes in demographic, socio-economic profile of the population which includes changes in the labor market that is more flexible, environmental changes, to structural changes that occur very quickly due to COVID-19 pandemic that we experience today, for example, distance learning, accelerated digitalization, as well as less contact economy. Many countries in the world have also begun to transform their education systems, whether preschool education, primary, secondary, vocational, and tertiary education to meet the needs of major changes.
Therefore, I want to highlight some issues that should get our attention. First, work arrangement in the future will be far more different from what it is today, the formation of excellent human resources in the future can no longer be based upon the development of knowledge that is formed based on past trends, but future trends. For this reason, I ask to perform benchmarking to countries that have successfully adapted education system to meet the needs of future changes, such as in Australia for early school education, Finland for primary and secondary education, in Germany for vocational education, in Korea for undergraduate education.
Second, we want to develop excellent human resources with noble characters based on cultural values of Indonesia and Pancasila. We should take into account character-based education because it is of particular importance in the nation’s mental and character development.
Third, there are measurable targets, how much is the target of participation rate for primary and secondary education as well as higher education. I reckon that we set the target high so we are optimistic, so we are enthusiastic. Then, the target for quality learning outcomes must be clear, be it related to improvement of teacher quality, improvement of curriculum, or school infrastructure. And how to realize an inclusive and equitable distribution of education.
Fourth, I remind you that the ability to reform is not only determined by one ministry, Ministry of Education and Culture, but it needs support from education community as well. Support from ministries/institutions, community, local governments, as well as partnership with the private sector. Because education reform does not only cover curriculum adjustments, pedagogy, and assessment methods, but also covers infrastructure improvement, provision of access to technology and also funding support.
I think that is all my introductory remarks.
Translated by Galuh Wicaksono
Reviewed by Mia Medyana