Nadiem: There must be Redefinition of Education

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The development of excellent, productive, and capable human resources in the global arena is a priority of the government of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin. Education is the spearhead of a change in the formation of mindset and character of the nation\'s next generation.

The president wants a massive reform in the education sector to realize this vision. Following is the Kompas daily interview with Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Anwar Makarim about it, Wednesday (6/11/2019), at the Education and Culture Ministry office, Jakarta.

What is the basic problem of forming excellent human resources President Joko Widodo wants?

Besides the existence of a mismatch in educational content with industry needs that must be resolved through link and match, there are also problems with meeting real-world competencies. The world needs humans who are able to adapt, collaborate, and have creativity. However, our education patterns have not changed much in the past 20 years. This transformation is an evolutionary process that needs to be accelerated.

What are the needs of the world at present and in the future that must be met by education?

In the past, the pattern of education was to master as many materials as possible and memorize the facts. Now, competence is the main thing, followed by various skills. Skills are not limited to technical and cognitive matters, but also soft skills, such as empathy, creativity, communication skills, and collaboration. What is even more important is the willingness to continue to study and work.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Pembangunan Jaya School 2 students take part in the Youth Pledge Day ceremony by wearing traditional Indonesian clothing in Sidoarjo, East Java, in late October (28/10/2019). At this activity, the students were invited to support the country’s independence while maintaining diversity.

The industrial world rarely complains about matters such as HR knowledge of the field of work and their technical capabilities. What is complained is simply our human resources who lack initiative, cannot work in teams, are not confident in making decisions, are not communicative in expressing ideas, and are not disciplined in using time. In fact, these aspects are key to professionalism. So there must be a redefinition of education.

How will education address the problem of character competency?

Through character education for students, parents and the community. Character and competence cannot be separated. Curriculum alone is not enough for character education. Character education cannot be treated the same as studying mathematics, history, and others. Character can only be obtained from participating in activities that really build these values.

Culture is effective in building community character. What is the direction for our cultural development in the future?

We must define what culture is because there are many cultural sub-sectors, such as heritage, which are important to strengthen our identity and pride as a nation. There is also culture which consists of customary activities which form our diversity. This is a celebration of the concept of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), which is very important for character education so that we are proud as a nation that we are different, but celebrate diversity and are united in identity (Indonesia).

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Murals depicting the theme of character development are on display on a school wall in Karang Tengah, Jakarta, on Monday (4/11/2019). Character development in the current context is frequently referred to as efforts to create a golden generation of Indonesia by 2045, one with the spirit of Pancasila and good character. This generation of intelligent people is to be prepared to welcome the 100th anniversary of Indonesia\'s independence.

There is also art which is our expression as humans who are not separated from character education in our education. The role of creativity is very important for Industry 4.0 and the arts and various kinds of creative activities in schools are important for character education and increasing the competence of our society. Well, there are a lot of methods. We as a government are better off empowering civil society alone, especially in terms of culture. Now there is a movement to empower civil society. Various communities, artists and creators are empowered to organize various cultural activities.

However, I will convey the long-term objective (goal) and its vision, according to the President\'s vision for 10 years.

From this great concept, what steps will you take in the first 100 days?

I have no plans until 100 days. Only after 100 days will I convey some of my plans. We talk too often about long-term plans, but in reality our shortcomings are not on plans, but on the results of actions. After 100 days what I will announce are not long-term plans. However, I will convey the long-term objective (goal) and its vision, according to the President\'s vision for 10 years.

What about educational applications that will reportedly be made?

That was a wrong perception, the 100 days are to design a system concept. There will be no application (created) within 100 days. The application takes several years. I try to be a minister who does not promise unrealistic things, but tells real things. I will be honest if there is a possibility of success or failure. (DNE/ABK/IKA)