President Jokowi: I Can Become President because of Teachers’ Role

President Joko Widodo attends the commemoration of the 2023 National Teacher Day at Indonesia Arena, Jakarta, Saturday (11/25). (Photo by: Bureau of Press and Media of the Presidential Secretariat/Rusman)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo attended the commemoration of the 2023 National Teachers’ Day at Indonesia Arena, Jakarta, on Saturday (25/11).

In his remarks, President Jokowi conveyed his appreciation for teachers’ dedication, hard work, and contribution, and stated that he became a president because of teachers’ role.

“All I know that from dawn until dusk teachers never stop dedicating themselves to Indonesian students. It is the state’s obligation to convey its appreciation and gratitude to the teachers. I can become a president because of the teachers’ role,” the President said.

The President also reminded the teachers about their obligation to continue to innovate and improve the quality of education to create human resources with Indonesian personality and character. Moreover, human resources were expected to be able to excel in facing future challenges that were not easy.

Furthermore, the President stated that current global changes happen every day. The disruption of technology, global political landscape, and economic landscape always changed and were hard to predict.

“Therefore, I appreciate joint movement of “Merdeka Belajar (Freedom to Learn)” initiated by Minister of Education, Culture, and Research and Technology as without the change of paradigm and mind set, we will face difficulty to adjust ourselves with current global changes of technology which happened every second. I also appreciate the application platform of “Merdeka Belajar” which is used as reference and mutual sharing among teachers so that our innovations are not left behind by global changes,” the President stated.

Before closing his remarks, the President expressed his confidence that Indonesia had qualified teachers.

“I am confident that, in the near future, Indonesia will have qualified teachers both of advanced mindset and prosperous life. Once again, I would like to extend my gratitude for the teachers’ hard work and dedication. Keep working, keep innovating, and keep transforming,” the President emphasized. (BPMI SETPRES/AIT) (GA/MUR)