Haedar Nashir: MSUS Projected to Become a Leading International School

Muhammadiyah Central Board Chairman Haedar Nashir has projected that the Muhammadiyah Sapen Universal School (MSUS), which opens this year, will become a leading school of international standard. “MSUS was built as a development chain from SD Muhammadiyah Sapen which will become an international class,” Haedar said during the inauguration of the MSUS Building in Tamantirto, Kasihan, Bantul Regency, on Saturday. According to Haedar, the presence of MSUS marks an important milestone in educational development through a holistic approach, both in building the educational ecosystem and providing facilities and infrastructure. “So far we have not been complete, so on this campus we will implement the concept and elements holistically,” he stated. He assessed that education in Indonesia is still relatively behind compared to several countries in the ASEAN region, both in terms of resources and competitiveness. “MSUS is part of the effort to become a leading school not only in Indonesia but also with an ASEAN and even international label,” he said. Haedar added that the opening of MSUS is also a response to the high public interest in enrolling children at SD Muhammadiyah Sapen in Yogyakarta City, which has had a considerably long waiting list. “SD Muhammadiyah Sapen has so many enthusiasts, with waiting lists lasting years. That cannot be accommodated while we are still at the SD Muhammadiyah Sapen site, so we are developing it here,” he explained. He referred to MSUS as a transformation and development of SD Muhammadiyah Sapen, which has recorded various achievements and is one of the best primary schools in Indonesia. “We are proud that of the 40 best primary schools in Indonesia released, 12 are Muhammadiyah primary schools, including Sapen,” he said. Meanwhile, MSUS Head Agung Rahmanto said the school is developed as a primary school with a global outlook that combines the National Curriculum with an international approach, without abandoning Islamic values, Muhammadiyah principles, nationalism, and Indonesian culture. “The presence of this school is expected to meet the community’s need for primary education that is adaptive to global developments while being strong in character building,” Agung said. He stated that teaching and learning activities at MSUS will commence in the 2026/2027 Academic Year according to the Yogyakarta Special Region education calendar, with the first day of school on Monday, 13 July 2026. In the initial operational phase, MSUS is opening two levels, namely Grade I and Grade III, each consisting of two parallel classes. Going forward, Agung continued, MSUS is targeted to have two parallel classes at each level, from Grade I to VI, totalling 12 study groups with a capacity of 28 students per class. “Thus, the targeted number of students reaches 336 pupils,” he said. Agung explained that MSUS implements a curriculum integrating the National Curriculum with best practices from the Cambridge Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate (IB), focusing on strengthening language, Mathematics, and Science skills through internationally standardised learning resources. “The IB approach strengthens inquiry-based learning, learner character development, reflection skills, communication, and global insight,” he said. According to him, this learning concept is expected to prepare a generation that can compete globally without losing their identity as Muslims and Indonesian citizens. “It can become a model for leading primary schools capable of integrating national education, international perspectives, technological innovation, and Islamic values within a quality and sustainable learning ecosystem,” he concluded.