Education transformation must start with learning approach: Minister

Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen) Abdul Mu’ti has stated that education transformation needs to start from the root of the problem, namely the learning approach for students in the classroom. According to him, education is not only about what is taught, but how the learning process is experienced by students, making meaningful learning experiences the key to forming deeper understanding. “We want to fix our education problems from the upstream, namely from the learning approach we develop, which we call Deep Learning,” said Minister Mu’ti in a written statement in Jakarta on Tuesday. He explained that Deep Learning is built on the core principles of Mindful, Meaningful, and Joyful, which place the student’s learning experience at the centre. According to him, the essence of Deep Learning lies in the attitude towards viewing the learning process, where the quality of the process is the main factor determining success, supported by a perspective that honours every student. “Deep Learning is a learning approach we want to implement with the basic principle of honouring. The keyword is honouring: honouring students, honouring teachers, and honouring knowledge. Above all, it is the perspective we hold in viewing every student,” said the Minister. He noted that events like the ‘Aksi PM’ (Deep Learning Implementation Appreciation) for vocational school teachers are not merely focused on competition, but serve as a platform for appreciation, allowing teachers to answer challenges, explore new teaching strategies, and disseminate replicable good practices. Through this event, he said the learning process and journey are assessed comprehensively, from problem identification and pedagogical choices to the concrete impact on students. “Aksi PM provides a space for appreciation for vocational teachers who have implemented Deep Learning in the classroom. The works displayed depict the complete learning journey, from the problems faced, the pedagogical strategies chosen, to the learning evidence and supporting documents. In other words, we are not just assessing the attractiveness of a poster, but how deeply the learning has transformed the student’s experience,” he added. He emphasised that excellent vocational education requires teachers who continuously learn and innovate to prepare students for future challenges. The Aksi PM series took place from 22 July to 9 August 2026, involving 250 target educational units from the 2025 training programme, with 10 best works selected across various award categories.