Every Indonesian child has the right to a decent education, including children from the community of believers. However, although Permendikbud No. 27 of 2016 concerning Belief Education Services was issued nine years ago, its implementation in Magelang Regency still faces various challenges.
Dialogue for Change
On May 15, the LKiS Foundation together with representatives of the community of believers held an important audience with the Department of Education and Culture (Disdikbud) of Magelang Regency. This meeting was a forum to convey field findings, good practices, and policy recommendations to ensure that the educational rights of children of believers can be fulfilled fairly and equally. Source of the meetings
Challenges Still Looming
Even though regulations are available, their implementation in the field faces a number of obstacles:
- Limited number of extension workers: There are only 4 extension workers to serve 17 students in 5 schools.
- Uncertain honorarium: Extension workers do not have a guarantee of honorarium from the APBD or BOS funds.
- Data is not yet integrated: Lack of coordination between the Education and Culture Office, schools, and the Population Office has resulted in many students who are adherents of traditional beliefs not being recorded accurately.
- Lack of supervision: There is no effective evaluation system to assess the implementation of belief education services.
Head of the Magelang Education and Culture Office, Slamet Achmad Husein, emphasized his commitment:
“We will address the fulfillment of the needs and education of believers so that they are equal and free from discrimination. Today’s discussion is the first step in following up on existing recommendations and conclusions to guarantee their right to education.”
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Portrait of Faith Education in Indonesia
Nationally, educational services for believers are still uneven:
- National: 2,795 students served by 256 extension workers in 604 schools (in 16 provinces).
- Central Java: 41 extension workers serve 320 students in 143 schools.
- Magelang Regency: 4 extension workers actively teach in 5 schools, including:
- SDN 1 Kapuhan
- SMPN 2 Sawangan
- Universitas Tidar Magelang
Recommended Steps
In order for the right to education for believers to be fully fulfilled, here are some policy recommendations:
- Circular to Schools:
- The Education and Culture Office needs to issue an official circular to all schools to understand and implement religious education services according to the rules.
- Integration of the Belief Column in e-Report:
- The value of religious education must be included in the e-report system to ensure formal recognition of the learning rights of students who adhere to beliefs.
- Clear Allocation of Funds:
- Extension workers need to receive a decent honorarium, with clear funding through the Regional Budget, National Budget, or BOS funds.
- Socialization to Teachers and Principals:
- Many schools still do not understand Permendikbud No. 27/2016. Intensive socialization is needed to ensure the implementation of this policy.
- Data Synchronization:
- The Education and Culture Office and the Population Service (Dukcapil) need to work together in updating and synchronizing data on students who adhere to beliefs so that no one is missed from education services.
Collaboration is Key
Real change can only be realized through close collaboration between LKiS, Disdikbud, schools, and communities of believers. Together, we can build an education system that is inclusive, equitable, and respectful of the diversity of beliefs in Indonesia.
Read the latest policy recommendations and data in full here