"It is very important to realize diverse education for the benefit of Indonesia's future," he emphasized.
He stressed that maintaining the country's pluralism through unity is crucial to continue the positive trend of development.
Moreover, Indonesia is currently preparing to welcome the positive impact of the demographic bonus that will peak in 2045, he added.
Effendy noted that the ability to understand good and bad, being disciplined, and fostering independence are among several important traits that should be instilled in children from an early age.
He also emphasized that children need to acquire good communication skills and life values of tolerance for one another.
To realize this, he invited all parties to implement Presidential Regulation No. 87 of 2017 on Strengthening Character Education.
"Basically, the regulation emphasizes the importance of character through holistic and integrative education," he explained.
In formulating the character education model, he noted that the government has launched the Integrative and Holistic Early Childhood Education (PAUD-HI).
PAUD-HI is designed to be directly connected with integrated health posts (posyandu) to provide education about health and early child care to communities.
"This effort should also be applied from elementary to secondary school education," he stated.
Effendy said that the regulation also encourages formal schools to collaborate with religious education units and form holistic and integrative education to support the "full-day school" goal.
"Full-day school does not mean (children) being at school all day, but their activities in mosques, churches, temples, or monasteries during the day are the responsibility of the school," he remarked.
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Translator: Asep F, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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