In 2045, it is predicted that some changes in global trends will occur. The centre of the world economy will shift from the United States to Asia, migration and urbanisation will increase, emerging market economies (EMEs) will give birth to a bigger middle class, the utilisation of natural resources (SDA) and geostrategic growth will be more competitive, and the absorption of technology into manufacturing processes and supply management is will be increasingly optimised. For Indonesia itself, the year 2045 is the first century of national independence and the demographic peak of human resources (HR).1 Taking advantage of this momentum, what steps has Indonesia taken?
Entering the age of 74, the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI) prepared a series of activities which are summarised by the theme “The Strategic Role of Teachers in Realising Superior Indonesian Human Resources”. By involving central and regional governments, the agenda is expected to be able to ignite the enthusiasm of teachers in facing challenges in the era of the industrial revolution 4.0, supporting the creation of the Indonesian Golden Generation 2045.2
Before Indonesia was born, indigenous teachers had a high spirit of nationalism. Not just fighting for the fate of each teacher and equal rights with the Netherlands, the teacher community also had an awareness of independence. They gathered in an organisation called the Dutch Indies Teachers Association (PGHB) in 1912 whose members worked as auxiliary teachers, village teachers, principals, and school inspectors.
Twenty years later, PGHB surprised the Dutch government by renaming itself as the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGI). The word “Indonesia” in the name of the organisation reflects the spirit and love of the nation whsich was certainly not condoned by the colonial party. Shortly after Indonesian independence, PGI was officially established as a PGRI at the Indonesian Teachers Congress on November 24-25, 1945 in Surakarta. PGRI is a professional, development, and employment organisation that seeks to encourage the creation of professionalism, welfare, and dignity of teachers in improving the quality of national education.
Reflecting on the changing global trends of 2045, it is undeniable that the quality of education plays an important role in creating superior human resources with the ability to think critically, creatively, innovatively, and be globally competitive.4 In this case, teachers are required to adapt to a number of significant changes which includes technological sophistication, the education ecosystem, and the character of millennial students.
Answering these challenges, many initiatives have been undertaken by the government to improve teacher competency starting from increasing training financial allocations, inviting teachers to participate in comparative studies in twelve countries, to promoting certification programs. The Ministry of Education and Culture has also developed a 2045 Golden Generation road map that includes quality management and effective teacher placement.5 On the other hand, Kemristekdikti is equalising the quality of education by selecting professional teacher candidates through Student Profession Program Student Selection (PPG) Selection in outermost, remote and disadvantaged areas of (3T) Indonesia.6
Mentari Group as an educational institution has taken part in responding to this phenomenon. Supporting the commitment of PGRI, Kemdikbud and Kemristekdikti, Mentari Group provides teacher competency development services through one of its service units, Mentari Teachers Academy (MTA) which seeks to equip teachers with 21st century teaching needs, namely 4C skills, Critical Thinking, Creativity and Innovation, Communication, and Collaboration. By focusing on English, Mathematics, and Science subjects, MTA provides a number of training courses specifically designed with methodologies that are suitable for the character of students in the millennial era. Mentari Group believes that by increasing teacher competence, Indonesia can realise the Indonesian Golden Generation 2045 so that is ready to face the global changes that await us in the future. As emphasised and believed by the Minister of Education and Culture, Nadiem Makarim, the teacher is a mover to realise an excellent Indonesia.
References:
1 Peta Jalan Generasi Emas Indonesia 2045
2 Pedoman Pelaksanaan Peringatan HUT ke-74 PGRI dan Hari Guru Nasional
3 Sejarah PGRI
4 Peta Jalan Generasi Emas Indonesia 2045
5 Peta Jalan Generasi Emas Indonesia 2045
6 Menjaring Calon Guru Profesional Demi Generasi Emas 2045
