Education Minister Urges Students to Develop Their Potential and Discipline
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti delivered motivational and character-building messages to students of SMK Negeri 5 in Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi Province, urging them to develop their potential and discipline as preparation for future challenges.
“My dear students, all of you can become great individuals. You all have potential, abilities, and talents. Those talents will become great if you are truly committed to realizing them,” he said in a written statement in Jakarta on Sunday.
He affirmed that every child possesses unique potential, talents, and abilities. These, he said, will grow into strengths when honed with dedication and hard work. He reminded students that greatness is not always measured by academic achievement but by each individual’s ability to discover and develop themselves.
He conveyed three key messages for students to succeed in achieving their aspirations. The first is knowing yourself. He emphasized that the first step to becoming an outstanding individual is understanding your potential, interests, and direction for self-development.
“The first step to becoming a great person is to know yourself. You are the ones who best understand what abilities you possess,” he said.
The second message is building self-confidence. Every student has the opportunity to excel according to their own talents. Self-confidence serves as the foundation for potential to develop optimally.
The third message is self-discipline. Success is inseparable from good habits practiced consistently without waiting for direction from others. Discipline in managing time, distinguishing between what is beneficial and what is not, and taking responsibility for one’s own choices are essential parts of the journey toward success.
“Those who succeed are those who use their time wisely and effectively. There is time for studying, playing, and resting. You are the ones who manage it. You are the manager of your own,” he said.
In the context of rapidly advancing technology, Mu’ti also reminded students that change will continue to occur. Some jobs may disappear due to digital transformation, but at the same time many new opportunities will emerge. Therefore, students are encouraged to be adaptive, unafraid to try new things, and unafraid to make mistakes in the learning process.
Beyond mastering technical competencies, he stressed the importance of strengthening soft skills such as critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and adapting to diverse environments. He noted that a person’s success is also determined by their ability to build social relationships and work in teams.
“There is no knowledge that is useless and no skill that is without benefit. If you have good soft skills, wherever you are, you will be able to work well as a professional,” Mu’ti said.