Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education: Teachers Should Become Learning Architects via Deep Learning
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Fajar Riza Ul Haq, has invited teachers to become ‘learning architects’ capable of designing meaningful, contextual, and relevant learning experiences through a deep learning approach.
He explained that deep learning is not a new curriculum, but rather a teaching approach focused on the processes of understanding, applying, and reflecting on knowledge. “Deep learning is a teaching method. It is about how students understand, implement, and then reflect on what they have learned. Therefore, it is not merely about chasing the volume of material taught, but ensuring that children truly understand what they are learning,” stated Deputy Minister Fearing in a written statement in Jakarta on Monday.
Through this approach, he noted, students will not only receive information but will be able to process and connect it with their daily lives. Furthermore, Fajar assessed that enhancing teacher competence is a key factor in addressing various educational challenges still faced by various regions.
Based on data held by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the average duration of schooling in Garut Regency remains below the national average, and dropout rates remain a shared concern requiring collaboration from various parties. He likened the learning process to food that must be chewed before being digested by the body. If material is provided without giving students the space to understand and process it, learning becomes merely a transfer of information that leaves no profound meaning.
He added that quality education should not be oriented solely towards curriculum completion or administrative achievements, but must ensure that the knowledge acquired by students can be fully understood, retained in memory, and applied in real life. Consequently, the process of reflection becomes a vital part of learning.
At the same opportunity, he also emphasised that teachers need to shift from one-way teaching patterns to approaches that encourage active student involvement. Students, he said, should not merely be listeners but must be given space to ask questions, discuss, explore, and build understanding independently.
“My message to teachers and school principals is: be learning architects, not learning operators. An operator merely repeats the same process, whereas an architect possesses the creativity and innovation to present meaningful learning experiences for children,” concluded Deputy Minister Fajar.