President Jokowi Tells Teachers to Raise Digital Awareness
President Jokowi attends the opening of the XXII Congress of Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI), at the Britama Arena, Kelapa Gading, Jakarta, Friday (5/7). (Photo by: Oji/PR)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has called on Indonesian teachers to be aware of the emerging digital media as a medium for learning.
“Digital world is our campus (too). I learn from there. Google is our library. Wikipedia is our encyclopedia, Kindle e-books are our textbooks, and there are many others,” President Jokowi said in his remarks at the Opening of the 22nd Congress of the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI) at the Britama Arena, Kelapa Gading, Jakarta, Friday (5/7).
With the help of the technology, the President said, children and young generations are able to learn independently. Therefore, the President emphasized that the role of teachers must be more than teaching but should also cover managing and guiding student learning.
“Without guiding, (student’s learning) can be very dangerous. Now, (everyone) can search for everything through (their gadgets),” President Jokowi stated.
Teachers, the President added, are also required to be more flexible, creative, interesting and fun to students, adding that teacher is irreplaceable by any sophisticated machine.
The President also expressed optimism that teachers are noble professions that can shape the youth with noble characters, tolerance, and good values.
“It is teacher who fosters social empathy, builds imagination and creativity, and strengthens the spirit of unity,” President Jokowi stated, adding that the PGRI can strategically build the education as well as quality human resources. He also expressed hope that the PGRI can professionally realize its vision and mission, as well as its programs.
Previously, President Jokowi has stated that in the next five years, development of human resources would be a national development priority, meaning that the teachers will also play a central role in implementing human resource development programs.
The President added that quality of human resources, including children and youth development, must be significantly improved in the hopes that everyone can benefit the rapidly changing science and technology development.
Therefore, according to President Jokowi, the purpose of education is no longer to produce knowledgeable students only, but also students with skills and characteristics.
“For example, it is not enough for Pancasila (state ideology) education to only provide knowledge of Pancasila to students. It is more important that the education should shape the characters and personalities of Pancasila to each student” the President said, adding that education should provide students with necessary skills that are relevant for future needs.
The President further said that say that teachers must also become agents of transformation in improving human resources and in nurturing the youth’s talents. The education transformation and the teaching-learning process, he added, must be carried out efficiently. (AGG/OJI/ES)
Translated by : Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Edited by : Ridwan Ibadurrohman, M. Ersan Pamungkas
