Minister of Primary and Secondary Education: Education Must Shape National Character
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia, Abdul Mu’ti, has asserted that education is a long-term investment for both individuals and the nation. According to him, education should not merely be understood as the physical construction of schools, but as a process of shaping character, strengthening faith, and preparing an excellent future generation for Indonesia.
Abdul Mu’ti made these remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new permanent campus of Sekolah Pelita Harapan (SPH) Plint Village in North Jakarta on Tuesday, 2 June 2026. The event, organised by the Pelita Harapan Education Foundation (YPPH), marks a significant milestone for SPH Pluit Village as one of Indonesia’s international Christian schools.
In his address, Abdul Mu’ti expressed his appreciation for YPPH’s commitment to expanding access to quality education across various levels of society. He noted that the development of the new SPH Pluit Village campus is not only a symbol of institutional growth but also part of the effort to strengthen Indonesia’s human resources.
“I agree that education is about investing in human resources. It is not just about the physical construction of schools, but more importantly, about shaping the character of our future generation and ensuring our nation is built strongly,” Abdul Mu’ti stated in Jakarta.
He added that the commitment to providing high-quality education aligns with the fourth pillar of the President’s ‘Asta Cita’ vision, which aims to build a strong, superior, and competitive Indonesian human resource base. Therefore, schools play a strategic role in preparing a generation that is not only academically intelligent but also possesses character and national responsibility.
Abdul Mu’ti also emphasised that schools must serve as unifying institutions rather than divisive ones. He suggested that schools should act as meeting points and melting pots for children from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds. Through a healthy educational environment, children can learn to interact, understand one another, and build a strong Indonesian identity. He believes that diversity within the school environment should be a strength to foster brotherhood, tolerance, and a sense of nationality from an early age.
During the occasion, the Minister also highlighted the three main foundations of education upheld by SPH: true knowledge, faith in Christ, and Godly character. He remarked that true education does not only develop the intellect but also shapes the heart, faith, and wisdom in decision-making. “Knowledge gives us answers, but faith gives us choices,” he said.
Amidst the rapid advancement of digital technology, Abdul Mu’ti warned of the significant challenges facing the younger generation. While technology opens many learning opportunities, it also brings risks such as anxiety, digital bullying, identity crises, and a weakening of spiritual values. He noted that many young people are intellectually brilliant but spiritually fragile, a condition he termed a ‘fragile generation’—one that is intelligent but easily shaken by life’s pressures and changing times. Consequently, he stressed the importance of education that pursues academic achievement while simultaneously strengthening faith, character, and inner resilience.
Meanwhile, the construction of the permanent SPH Pluit Village campus is part of YPPH’s long-term commitment to providing excellent, Christ-centred international Christian education relevant to the needs of Indonesia’s future generations. The new campus will occupy approximately 2.2 hectares in the strategic Pluit area of North Jakarta, near Lippo Mall Pluit and the developing Pantai Indah Kapuk corridor. The project is targeted for completion in December 2027, with operations beginning in January 2028.
SPH Pluit Village will serve students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 with a capacity of approximately 1,200 students. The permanent campus is expected to meet the needs of families in North Jakarta seeking high-quality international education rooted in Christian values. Established in 2014, SPH Pluit Village has grown into a well-known international school in the region, currently serving around 500 students at full capacity with an increasing annual waiting list.
The President of YPPH, Dr Jonathan Parapak, stated that this groundbreaking ceremony was a long-awaited moment, noting that the journey to this permanent campus involved years of planning, prayer, perseverance, and navigating permit processes. “This groundbreaking is not just the start of physical construction, but a testimony to God’s faithfulness, patience, and a vision maintained for many years,” said Jonathan.
The new SPH Plutar Village campus will feature a total building area of approximately 22,000 square metres across three floors, designed by the architectural firm Aang Wirawan Studio. Facilities will include dedicated areas for Kindergarten, Primary, Middle, and High School, technology-integrated classrooms with AI, science and innovation laboratories, music and fine arts facilities, sports fields, and running tracks.