Cooperative Minister: Central Java Pioneers Cooperative Curriculum Insertion
The Minister of Cooperatives, Ferry Juliantoro, has expressed his appreciation for the Central Java Provincial Government’s initiative to pioneer the insertion of cooperative curriculum into the education system. Speaking at the launch of the cooperative education insertion programme in Semarang on Friday, he stated, “I express my deepest gratitude to the Central Java Provincial Government, particularly the Governor of Central Java, who has made history today.”
He noted that Central Java has made history by becoming the first region to implement the insertion of a cooperative curriculum. According to the Minister, this educational integration is vital for restoring the younger generation’s understanding of the Pancasila economy. He expressed hope that Central Java’s approach would be emulated by other regions.
He emphasised that cooperatives should not merely be understood as savings and loan institutions, but should be reintroduced as business entities that align with the nation’s character, namely mutual cooperation, togetherness, and kinship. “Cooperatives are important to introduce because they can serve as an alternative for job creation for Millennials, Gen Z, and even Generation Alpha, who are currently in school,” he added.
The Governor of Central Java, Ahmad Luthfi, stated that the programme is a crucial step in ensuring the younger generation becomes acquainted with cooperatives from their school years. He noted that cooperatives are a constitutional mandate and a pillar of the economy that must be understood by the public. “Cooperatives are a mandate of the 1945 Constitution, specifically Article 33. This programme is also aligned with the government’s ‘Koperasi Merah Putih’ policy,” he said.
He clarified that cooperative education would not increase the students’ learning burden, as the cooperative material will be integrated into existing subjects. The Cooperative Education Insertion Programme is implemented by integrating cooperative values and materials into learning across all educational levels. Modules have been prepared, and school principals, supervisors, and teachers have received training for the programme’s implementation.
The programme targets approximately 6.38 million students, ranging from primary school (SD/MI) to senior high school (SMA/SMK/MA) and special education schools (SLB) in Central Java. At the primary level, students will be introduced to the basic values of cooperatives and mutual cooperation; at the junior high level (SMP/MTs), they will begin to understand organisation, management, and the benefits of cooperatives; while at the senior high level, the material will focus on cooperative practice and entrepreneurship. For special education schools, implementation will be tailored to the specific characteristics and needs of the students.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasar_uddin Umar, and the Head of the Agency for Basic and Secondary Education Policy, Toni Toharudin.