Education Not Only in Classrooms

True learning is a lifelong process. That's why, education can take place anywhere, not only in the classroom.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Visitors at the Belajaraya 2023 event in Pos Bloc Jakarta on Saturday (29/7/2023). The education network Semua Murid Semua Guru held the Belajaraya 2023 event, which brought together hundreds of education activists in Indonesia.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The meaning of education is not limited to the learning process in the classroom alone. Comprehensive education also includes character development, creativity, and critical thinking skills, among others. This can also be learned at home and in the environment, and can be done throughout one's life.

According to Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Anwar Makarim, parents are one of the most important stakeholders in education. Parents can instill simple habits to stimulate their child's curiosity, encourage them to express themselves, and ask questions. This can be achieved by engaging in conversation with their child and reading them bedtime stories.

"For example, if all parents in Indonesia read fairy tale books to their children for 30 minutes a day for the next three years, it is impossible for our literacy rate not to increase," Nadiem said during the speaking event at the Belajaraya Education Festival 2023, on Saturday (29/7/2023), in Jakarta."

KOMPAS/SEKAR GANDHAWANGI

Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Anwar Makarim (left) and the Initiator of the All Students All Teachers movement Najeela Shihab at a talk show event at the Belajaraya 2023 education festival, Saturday (29/7/2023), in Jakarta.

The Learning Together 2023 event was organized by the All Students All Teachers movement. The activity was previously called the Education Fest. Several musicians, officials, and public figures attended the event, such as Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, Education and Culture Minister for the 2014-2016 period Anies Baswedan, Tompi, Tulus, and Andien.

Nadiem added that the habit of reading with children can have a big impact on the future of education in Indonesia. "That's why education is not only done in school. It is equally important at home," he said.

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Reading fairy tales or other reading materials to children can help their cognitive development. Children can learn to concentrate, recognize words, and express themselves. Children who are familiar with reading from an early age also tend to have good language abilities in the future. This activity also fosters an interest in reading.

In addition, reading stories to children can strengthen the emotional bond between parents and children, as well as develop a sense of trust in children towards their parents. This trust is related to the availability of a safe and comfortable space for children to grow.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Visitors wrote impression messages at one of the exhibition booths at the Belajaraya 2023 event in Pos Bloc Jakarta on Saturday (29/7/2023). The education network Semua Murid Semua Guru held the Belajaraya 2023 event, which brought together hundreds of educational activists in Indonesia.

Nadiem also encourages parents to have conversations with their children during meal times. "Children should be invited to discuss and asked for their opinions. For example, the conversation could be about how clouds are formed. It's okay if parents don't know the answer. Invite the children to find out together. This will sharpen the children's critical thinking skills," he said.

Actress and spokesperson of the Indonesian Government for the G20 Presidency, Maudy Ayunda, stated that her mother often invited her to discuss things when she was still a child. Her mother would also ask for Maudy's opinion, and sometimes even ask for alternative solutions from her, which encouraged her to think critically. The books she had read since childhood also enriched her perspective when discussing things with her mother.

Also read: Holistic Education Does Not Take Mental Health Away

Learn from nature

As for the writer Ahmad Fuadi, he adopted the Minangkabau educational principles, namely nature becomes a teacher, to study. According to him, everything in the environment is a lesson. Humans only need to sharpen their senses and intuition to learn from the environment.

The author of the novel Negeri 5 Menara added that traveling to a foreign land can also be a life lesson. This reflects from his experience of moving to Java at the age of 15 to study at a pesantren. At the pesantren, he was taught to enjoy lessons. Exams are also interpreted as a means of learning, not studying for exams.

“In my opinion, one of the schools of life is wandering. We are out of our comfort zone, we are struggle, but that becomes material for (me) to write. For me, learning is (done) throughout life," said Fuadi.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Representative of IDN Media, William Utomo, Chairperson of Apindo, Shinta Kamdani, Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, CEO of PT Paragon Technology and Innovation, Salman Subakat, and Representative Journalist of Tempo, Budi Setyarso (from right to left) attended Ngobrol Publik session at Belajaraya 2023 event in Pos Bloc Jakarta, Saturday (29/7/2023).

The Chairman of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), Shinta Kamdani, stated that education must be viewed comprehensively. This thinking is important so that the public does not misconstrue education as merely a means to find employment. According to her, education is the way of becoming a complete human being.

"We see that education is about link and match to the industrial world. In fact, in the whole education concept, there is character education, ethics, creativity whose outcome is not just to work," he said.

Anies added that education is not yet considered as a movement that should involve all parties. According to him, education is still seen as a government program and the stakeholders only.

Education is a way for humans to become complete human beings.

Despite limited government resources, Anies believes that the government has strengths in the fiscal and authoritative areas. However, the government lacks innovation, creativity, field experience, and networks. These are typically possessed by communities, organizations, or society, which the government does not possess.

"If education is seen as a movement, the responsibility to be involved in education is owned by everyone. The government provides space for anyone to be involved in educational activities," he said.