Haedar Nashir: Muhammadiyah Reinforces National Commitment to Enlighten the Nation
Muhammadiyah has once again affirmed its role in developing human resources in the country through education. This was demonstrated with the launch of the Muhammadiyah Sapen Universal School (MSUS) on Saturday afternoon in Tamantirto, Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta.
The General Chairman of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah, Prof. Dr. Haedar Nashir, stated that the establishment of MSUS is based on a commitment that transcends mere financial capital motives. "Muhammadiyah does not think about capital, but focuses on the responsibility of enlightening the nation’s life, grounded in a humanitarian responsibility to educate children so they grow into complete human beings," he said.
This strategic move is not simply an expansion of an ordinary private school, but a tangible manifestation of a moral and national responsibility to comprehensively enlighten the nation. As evidence, of the 40 best primary schools announced by the government, 12 are Muhammadiyah primary schools.
The development of the new MSUS building and facilities is motivated by the track record of SD Muhammadiyah Sapen, which has long been recognised as one of the leading primary schools in Indonesia. The high public interest in enrolling their children at the school has resulted in a waiting list for new students that stretches years into the future.
The limited capacity at the previous Sapen location prompted Muhammadiyah to undertake a more massive expansion to realise the principle of education for all. Through this new campus development, MSUS adopts a more holistic approach by integrating all elements of the educational ecosystem, from the learning environment and modern infrastructure to the entire learning process.
"This approach is not only oriented towards academic intelligence and technical skills, but also emphasises strengthening morals, spiritual maturity, and social sensitivity so that students have a strong humanitarian orientation," he explained.
Furthermore, Muhammadiyah’s national commitment is also evidenced by the parallel expansion of educational access across various regions. Simultaneously with the construction of an international-standard school like MSUS, Muhammadiyah continues to consistently build universities, schools, and hospitals in frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged regions to reach all levels of society.
Haedar Nashir also acknowledged the significant challenges currently facing Indonesian education, including the competitiveness of the nation’s human resources at the ASEAN regional level, which is deemed to require serious acceleration. Through the spirit of fastabiqul khairat, or competing in goodness, MSUS is expected to become a driving force in raising national education quality standards so that they can compete competitively at the regional and international levels.