Jakarta, October 4, 2026 – Respecting peers with different beliefs, listening to each other, and working together are essential parts of students' learning experiences. The role of teachers in fostering these attitudes was highlighted in an international webinar hosted by the Character Strengthening Center (Puspeka) of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) and the Leimena Institute on Friday (October 2) to commemorate World Teachers' Day and National Teachers' Day.
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul Mu'ti, emphasized that teachers have a role as " Agents of Learning as well as Agents of Civilization," namely learning agents as well as agents of civilization development. Through role models, teachers help students build character and learn to respect each other in everyday life. "The substance of education is building civilization, building character," said Abdul Mu'ti in his remarks.
According to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, schools need to be a meeting place for students from diverse backgrounds. Within these spaces, students have the opportunity to get to know, accept, and collaborate with those who are different. He emphasized the importance of authentic tolerance, which means remaining steadfast in one's beliefs while respecting and giving space to others. "Differences should not be a divide, but rather a source of enrichment for us to collaborate with one another," he said.
Minister Mu'ti also emphasized that a safe and comfortable environment encompasses physical, social, spiritual, and digital dimensions. Strengthening it requires support from families, communities, and the media, as children's experiences outside of school influence their behavior and character development.
This message is in line with the strengthening of the Safe and Comfortable School Culture (BSAN) through the Regulation of the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Permendikdasmen) Number 6 of 2026. This policy places prevention and involvement of the entire education ecosystem as a crucial part of creating a supportive learning environment for students.
The Head of Puspeka, Rusprita Putri Utami, emphasized that students are not just beneficiaries, but also need to be actively involved in building a safe and comfortable school culture. Through the Rukun Sama Teman Movement, students are encouraged to become Great Friends who support each other with the principles of Look, Listen , and Link . Being sensitive to friends who need support, listening, and connecting them with the right assistance. "A safe and comfortable school culture doesn't just arise from regulations. It lives on in our relationships and actions every day. Listen to students, prevent risks as early as possible, and respond appropriately," said Rusprita.
The role of teachers in building interpersonal relationships was also conveyed by Matius Ho, Executive Director of the Leimena Institute. Amidst the development of artificial intelligence, he emphasized the importance of education that helps students build relationships with others, including those of different religions, beliefs, and cultures. "We're not educating robots, but humans," Matius said.
He added that educational success requires support beyond the school environment. "Teachers' success in educating is inseparable from the support and cooperation of the community and the government, both central and regional," he said.
According to Matius, over the past five years, the Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy (LKLB) program, run by the Leimena Institute in collaboration with dozens of partner institutions from various faiths, has reached more than 12,000 teachers and other educators from 38 provinces. The Leimena Institute collaborates with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and local governments to promote this approach to strengthen the National Standardization Agency (BSAN).
UNESCO Jakarta's Chief of Education, Santosh Khatri, emphasized that a supportive learning environment for students requires a professional environment that also supports teachers. He believes a safe and comfortable school culture is part of the learning experience itself, a place where students develop empathy and the ability to live together.
Khatri explained that artificial intelligence can aid in lesson planning and professional development. Teachers still have a human role to play in understanding students' circumstances, identifying challenges they haven't yet expressed, and helping them learn to listen and respect others.
Learning to Live Together through Interfaith Encounters Yonathan Djalimun, an LKLB alumnus and Deputy Director of Tritunggal Christian School, shared his experience of implementing this approach in schools. In his presentation, he highlighted the challenges of limited interaction with diversity in a faith-based educational environment that tends to be homogeneous.
Yonathan shared his experiences with experience-based co-curricular activities and interfaith friendship visits. His presentation documented a visit by students from Tritunggal High School in Semarang to Al Manar Islamic Boarding School in Tengaran, as well as a meeting at the Amal Sholeh Islamic Boarding School. These visits were the first step in fostering mutual trust and respect for differences. "Practice is more memorable than mere theory in the classroom," Yonathan wrote in his presentation.
He described the activities as ongoing year after year, with ever-expanding networks of collaboration and opportunities for interaction. In his reflection, he wrote, "Students feel safe, comfortable, and confident in interfaith collaboration."
The webinar, "Quality Education for All: The Role of Teachers in Creating a Safe and Comfortable School Culture," brought together policy perspectives, educator experiences, and international perspectives on education in diversity. Supported by the Templeton Religion Trust, the event took place via Zoom with simultaneous Indonesian and English translation. *** (Writer & Documentation: Puspeka Team / Editor: Denty, Seno)
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