Surabaya\u2019s step towards global education is a bold and strategic\nmove. This is not merely a school construction project, but an effort to\nbuild civilisation.<\/p>\n
Surabaya (ANTARA) - In a classroom, a child gazes at a world map\nhanging on the wall. His finger moves slowly, tracing the lines of\ncountries whose names he has only heard before. He stops at a distant\npoint, then turns to his teacher with a simple question: \u201cCan I get\nthere?\u201d<\/p>\n
That question may sound light, but it is where the direction of\neducation is changing. Schools are no longer just places for\nmemorisation, but spaces that open possibilities that distance is no\nlonger a barrier, and dreams do not have to stop within the scope of the\ncity where they were born.<\/p>\n
In the new, neat classrooms, children begin to build dreams in a\ndifferent way. They do not just learn to read and count, but are also\ninvited to understand a wider world, a world that demands cross-border\nskills, global languages, and competitiveness that is no longer\nlocal.<\/p>\n
It is here that the City of Surabaya, East Java, is beginning to take\nserious steps by making education a bridge to the global stage.<\/p>\n
That step becomes more concrete with the inauguration of MuhlaS\nBoarding School in the Krembangan area, carried out by the Minister of\nBasic and Secondary Education of Indonesia, Abdul Mu\u2019ti, together with\nthe Mayor of Surabaya, Eri Cahyadi, recently. This dormitory-based\nschool is not just an additional educational facility, but a marker of a\nchange in perspective.<\/p>\n
Education is no longer positioned as a formal routine, but as an\necosystem for forming character, leadership, and international\ncompetitiveness. In this context, Surabaya is not building an ordinary\nschool, but designing the future.<\/p>\n
Across Borders<\/p>\n
The transformation of education in Surabaya did not emerge from a\nvacuum. It arises from the awareness that global competition now touches\nthe most basic level, namely children\u2019s education. The world of work is\nchanging rapidly, technology is developing without pause, and national\nborders are becoming increasingly blurred in the exchange of knowledge.\nA city that wants to survive must prepare a generation capable of\nadapting.<\/p>\n
The boarding school model championed by MuhlaS Boarding Class becomes\none of the answers. The integration of academic education, character\nstrengthening, and leadership becomes an important foundation. More than\nthat, collaboration with international curricula such as Cambridge shows\nconcrete efforts to align local standards with global standards.<\/p>\n
However, this step also invites critical questions. Is the\ninternationalisation of education just about curriculum and language of\ninstruction? Or is it deeper than that, namely about ways of thinking,\ncreativity, and problem-solving abilities?<\/p>\n
Global experience shows that countries with advanced education\nsystems do not only adopt international curricula, but also build strong\nlearning cultures. Finland, for example, emphasises understanding-based\nlearning, not memorisation. Singapore combines academic discipline with\ninnovation. This means that the globalisation of education is not just a\nlabel, but a comprehensive transformation.<\/p>\n
Surabaya appears to be heading in that direction. The deep learning\napproach, which is a national priority, becomes an important foundation.\nThis approach emphasises understanding of concepts, not just achievement\nof grades. If implemented consistently, this could become the main\ndifferentiator.<\/p>\n
The Pulse of the Ecosystem<\/p>\n
What is interesting about this development is not only in the\neducational institutions, but also its impact on the social environment.\nAreas that previously had limitations are now turning into centres of\nlearning. This change shows that education has real transformative\npower.<\/p>\n
Community participation becomes a key factor. When residents are\nwilling to endow their assets for education, it is not just material\nsupport, but a form of trust in the future. This is social capital that\ncannot be built instantly.<\/p>\n
In terms of policy, this aligns with the spirit of Hardiknas 2026\nwhich emphasises \u201cuniversal participation\u201d. Education cannot rely solely\non the government. It requires collaboration between schools,\ncommunities, organisations, and other sectors.<\/p>\n
However, the biggest challenge lies in equity. High-quality education\nmodels often emerge in certain points, while other areas are left\nbehind. If not anticipated, this gap could widen.<\/p>\n
National data shows that access to quality education is still not\nevenly distributed, especially in terms of facilities, teacher quality,\nand digital access. Although Surabaya is a city with relatively good\neducational infrastructure, internal challenges remain, particularly in\nensuring that all layers of society feel the same benefits.<\/p>\n
The digitalisation of learning becomes both an opportunity and a\nchallenge. On one hand, technology opens wide access to global learning\nresources. On the other hand, gaps in internet access and digital\nliteracy remain obstacles.<\/p>\n
Roots of the World<\/p>\n
Amid global ambitions, Surabaya does not seem to want to lose its\nroots. Emphasis on religious values, character, and local wisdom becomes\nan important part of the developed education model. This is a strategic\nstep.<\/p>\n
Globalisation without identity risks producing a generation that is\nuprooted from local values. Conversely, education that is too local\nwithout global insight could leave the generation behind. Balance\nbetween the two becomes the key.<\/p>\n
The philosophy of education rooted in the values of nurturing,\nloving, and caring remains relevant. Knowledge must go hand in hand with\nempathy and guidance. This is not just a normative concept, but a\nfoundation for forming complete human beings.<\/p>\n
Within the policy framework, five national strategies from\ndigitalisation, improving teacher quality, strengthening character,\nimproving learning quality, to expanding access become a clear roadmap.\nThe challenge is implementation in eight<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/weaving-dreams-to-the-world-stage-1777859550", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }