Written by: Fadhila Trifani
Indonesia’s National Education Day honours not only policy advancements but also the everyday heroes – the teachers, school leaders and district education officers – who dedicate themselves to ensuring that every child has the right to a quality education. Today, technology plays a crucial role in breaking down barriers across our vast archipelago, empowering these frontline educators and enabling a more meaningful, holistic approach to teaching. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Indonesia’s vision for deep learning is beginning to take shape – a model that encourages students to understand their learning objectives, see the relevance in what they study, and enjoy the process every day.
A Bridge Over Geographical Barriers
In remote regions where classroom resources are limited, digital tools have become the bridge that connects isolated schools to a world of learning. For example, Siti, a dedicated teacher in West Nusa Tenggara, shared with pride, “Technology isn’t a luxury; it’s our bridge to freedom.” With the help of digital platforms supported by the Australia-Indonesia basic education program, INOVASI, Siti now accesses online professional development and interactive learning materials – enabling her to create personalised lessons that light up her students’ faces every day. This real-life impact showcases how technology helps educators overcome physical isolation and deliver learning that is both adaptable and innovative.
Empowering Inclusive Learning Through PBS for Children with Disabilities
In many Indonesian classrooms, educators face the challenge of meeting diverse learning needs – especially for students with disabilities – due to the limitations of traditional, one-size-fits-all assessments. Without clear insights, teachers struggle to pinpoint each student’s unique functional learning requirements, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention.
To address this, the Student Learning Profile (PBS) offers a targeted screening tool that categorises learners by their level of need and directs educators toward customised teaching strategies. PBS not only reveals the challenges each student faces but also provides a solid data foundation for schools and policymakers to design fair, effective interventions. INOVASI supports the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education by ensuring PBS is implemented effectively, helping educators understand the importance of adapting education to individual needs.
“I feel proud knowing that my classroom is where technology meets heart. Every digital lesson brings us closer together and creates learning opportunities that are just right for our children,” says Rina, a dedicated teacher and former PBS trainee from West Nusa Tenggara.
Digital Supervision: How MAGIS Bridges the Supervisory Gap
With limited supervisory personnel, the logistical challenge for madrasahs is considerable—traditionally, one supervisor might have been responsible for overseeing up to 90 schools. By harnessing technology, the innovative Madrasah Digital Supervision (MAGIS) was created to address this issue. MAGIS empowers teachers to reflect independently on their classroom practices, identify successes and areas for improvement, and share their insights directly with school leaders and district officials.
“With MAGIS, I am not left alone; my reflections on teaching are heard all the way up to the Ministry,” says Farid, a madrasah teacher from East Java. This digital feedback loop fosters a cascading cycle of improvement by grounding changes in real-time needs, strengthening the support system from the classroom to national policy forums.
Empowering Deep Learning Through Technology
The new learning paradigm – deep(er) learning – is about engaging the mind, heart, emotions, and body to create a truly comprehensive learning experience.
“Our shift to deep learning means that lessons are now designed to be not only instructive but also transformative. Our students know why they are learning, see the real-life application of what we teach, and feel excited every day about coming to school,” says Chusnul Chotimah, School Supervisor from Probolinggo, East Java.
This approach is supported by modern technology. Tools such as PBS and MAGIS help teachers adapt instruction in real time, track progress more meaningfully, and keep every student—especially those with additional needs—at the center of the learning journey.
On this National Education Day, we celebrate the collective efforts of all those fighting for the educational rights of every child. The everyday heroes – our teachers, principals, and district education officers – who stand in the frontlines of this revolution; the ones who walk into classrooms each day, armed with new digital tools, ready to adapt and improve the learning experience for every student.