MPR Speaker: Indonesian Children Must Be Educated with Integrity, Not Just Intelligence

MPR Speaker Ahmad Muzani has stated that Indonesian children must be educated to become agents of change with integrity, rather than simply being intelligent. “We cannot allow our children to merely sit as spectators amidst the changing times,” Muzani said during his introductory speech at the MPR Annual Session and the Joint Session of the DPR-DPD in 2026 at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, on Friday. He added that Indonesian children must be educated not only to compete but also to uphold the spirit of mutual cooperation (gotong royong). Muzani said Indonesia must master technology without losing its humanity, and master the economy without sacrificing the environment, remaining open to the world while safeguarding sovereignty. However, he reminded that Indonesian children must grow with faithful, pious, and noble character. “This is the meaning of true progress, deeply rooted in Pancasila. Progress that not only brings us prosperity today but also preserves the earth for our children and grandchildren tomorrow,” he stated. He expressed the view that the ‘Sekolah Rakyat’ (People’s Schools) programme represents the government’s commitment to guaranteeing access to education for all Indonesians, including the underprivileged. He also noted the ‘Sekolah Unggul Garuda’ (Garuda Excellence Schools), whose main task is to produce top talent in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The MPR, DPR, and DPD held the MPR Annual Session and the Joint Session of the DPR-DPD at the Nusantara Building, Parliament Complex, Jakarta, on Friday. One of the agenda items was a speech by President Prabowo Subianto for the delivery of the State Institutions’ Performance Report and the State Address of the President of the Republic of Indonesia in the context of the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. In addition to the speech, the government will also screen a video on government performance achievements. The annual session is a state agenda to welcome the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, which carries the theme ‘A Sovereign, Just, and Prosperous Indonesia’.