Revolutionary Transformation of Indonesian Education: The Path to a Modern Nation in the 21st Century
By: Ali Aminulloh
(summarized from the Sermon on Eid al-Adha 1446 H by Shaykh AS. Panji Gumilang)
Building the Future from the Moment of Qurban
This year’s Eid al-Adha is not just a celebration of religious rituals. It is a stage for a great call for change. Amidst the echo of takbir and the aroma of qurban meat, Shaykh AS. Panji Gumilang stood at the pulpit delivering a heart-shaking message: Indonesia needs a revolutionary transformation in the world of education if it wants to become a great nation in its first century of independence. The message conveyed is not only to be contemplated, but to be acted upon.
This year, Bakti Qurban 1946 Al-Zaytun reached almost 6,000 people in various corners of the city, in West Java, Indramayu to Bandung, in East Java, Gresik, and in Banten, Menes. However, these numbers are not just statistics. It is a symbol of social sacrifice—a reflection of the same spirit needed to build civilization through education. “Eid is not about new clothes,” he said, “but about adherence to promises and ideals.” In this context, education becomes a promise of the nation that must be fulfilled, and radical change is the only way.
Widening Inequality: The Reality of Our Education World
The Shaykh highlights the fundamental failure of the current education system. Of the tens of thousands of islands spread out, thousands still have no access to decent education. The striking disparity between cities and villages is not only in facilities, but also in quality. Many Indonesian children grow up with systematic limitations—a shortage of teachers, limited digital literacy, and a stagnant curriculum system that is irrelevant to the real world.
Moreover, graduates of educational institutions are often trapped in a theoretical space without application skills. They are not sufficiently equipped to face the ever-changing global industry. Our education, according to the Shaykh, has not been able to produce leaders who are not only academically intelligent, but also ethically mature, independent, and innovative.
From Society 4.0 to Society 6.0:
Education as the Axis of Civilization
The sermon not only criticized, but also offered a way out. The Shaykh invited the nation to go beyond the concept of society 5.0—a popular idea in Japan—and came up with a new idea: Society 6.0. This is the future that Indonesia envisions: a society shaped by education that instills values, character, and responsible technology.
In society 6.0, education not only teaches knowledge, but creates individuals who are able to think critically, innovate, and uphold social justice and environmental sustainability. Technology is not the goal, but a tool for prosperity and humanization.
Real Solution: Boarding School Education and L-STEAM Curriculum
To that end, the Shaykh proposed a concrete solution: a boarding school education system that is evenly distributed throughout the country. Each region will have an integrated education center with modern facilities, fully supported by the state budget. This is not a utopia, because according to him, “Indonesia is a rich country and is able to allocate up to 50% of its wealth to education.” This message is a blow to the myth that education reform is expensive and impossible.
This model will use the L-STEAM (Law, Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) curriculum, which is based on the thoughts of great philosophers: Socrates who encouraged dialogue and reflection, Plato who emphasized character levels and logic, and Aristotle who taught the importance of real experience. All are mixed in the Novum Gradum approach—a new paradigm of education that balances academic, moral, and social skills.
Building Infrastructure for Change
This transformation is impossible without a physical foundation. Therefore, the Sheikh called for the construction of large dormitories in 500 locations in Indonesia, each standing on 3,000 hectares of land. This is where the nation’s children will grow up in an environment that not only teaches knowledge, but also the practice of life: farming, producing food, developing technology, and living together ethically.
Vision of Golden Indonesia 2045: Not a Dream, But a Mission
Indonesia in 2045 is envisioned as a country that stands on par with developed nations. It is led by a generation that is intelligent, moral, and has the soul of a leader. This is not empty rhetoric. This is a vision offered with a real roadmap. If this nation truly dares to invest in education, then the results will be felt within two decades: Indonesia rises as a great nation.
Epilogue: Time to Sacrifice, Time to Rise
When Ibrahim alaihissalam was ordered to sacrifice Ismail, history recorded not only obedience, but the courage to take a big step for the promised future. Today, the Indonesian nation is faced with a similar historical command: dare to sacrifice the comfort of the old system’ for the future of our children and grand children.Educational transformation is not an option,but a necessity.
Syaykh Panji Gumilang has blown the call.He has ignited the fire of ideas that must not be extinguished in the discourse space.Now it is our turn-teachers,students,leaders,parents,ordinary people-to answer it.With small steps,bold decisions.
Gantar Indramayu, June 6,2025
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