Minister: Technology Will Never Replace Teachers, No Matter How Advanced

Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen) Prof Abdul Mu’ti has emphasised that technological developments will not be able to replace the role of teachers in education. He stated that teachers remain the main actors in building the nation’s civilisation through education. “No matter how advanced technology becomes, it cannot replace the position of teachers. This is the true significance of building civilisation through education, with teachers as its primary agents,” Abdul Mu’ti said while speaking at the 8th Congress of Indonesian Muslims (KUII) in Jakarta.

He explained that the government continues to strive to improve the quality of teachers. These improvements include enhancing welfare, raising qualifications, and strengthening their competence to address the challenges of education in the digital era. “We are improving their welfare, their qualifications, and we are enhancing their competence. No matter how advanced technology is, it cannot replace the position of teachers,” he stressed.

In addition to strengthening the role of teachers, he said the government is also paying great attention to student character development. He highlighted the ‘Seven Habits of Great Indonesian Children’ programme, which encourages children to build a disciplined and healthy lifestyle from an early age. According to him, these seven habits are a substance of Islamic teachings. “If we break down these seven habits, they are actually a substantialisation of Islamic teachings. Waking up early, for instance, is an Islamic teaching,” he said. The seven habits include waking up early, worshipping, exercising, consuming healthy and nutritious food, being eager to learn, socialising, and going to bed early.