“Good education must incorporate pedagogical politics, namely politics that are educational in nature. In this context, education should provide enlightenment and understanding that all humans as inhabitants of the earth have universal rights to education. Despite cultural and physical markers, identities may differ, but in Human Rights, all differences based on race, ethnicity, culture, customs, language, religion, economic strata, along with their attributes, should not be prioritized. The principles of pluralism, humanity, and justice must take precedence.
In pedagogical politics, teachers, as educators, should be given an understanding of this so that they can impart the correct understanding to their students. Paolo Freire once said that modern teaching methods are those free from physical and psychological pressure.
The understanding of liberating education in the style of Paolo Freire is certainly in line with pedagogical politics because such education rejects narrow views that seem to intentionally allow the formation of significant differences among humans. A good and wise pedagogical politics will eliminate social and horizontal conflicts or barriers that have the potential to harm national principles or nation-building activities, as in that educational environment, everyone understands the importance of unity.
With the right educational concept, the thoughts and actions of future generations can cultivate true understanding. Educators need to adopt slogans embraced by Mahatma Gandhi, “My Nationality is My Humanity,” or John F. Kennedy’s slogan, “Don’t ask what your country can do for you, but ask what can you do for your country,” or Sukarno’s question, “Hey, Indonesian Youth, how many are you? Answer, we are only one!” If so, in the future, it is hoped that the younger generation will no longer question which ethnicity someone is from but rather, “What will they do for the nation, the country, and fellow citizens?”
This understanding is not something new. The philosophy of Tri Hita Karana practiced in Bali believes that humans must live in balance, meaning living in harmony with God, Fellow beings, and Nature. The real contribution of everyone in relation to these three must be balanced, not extreme in one relationship only, so as not to collide with other values.
Pedagogical politics will show that the injustices and violence we often encounter daily are not final and given as they are. Everyone can change them, provided they have the ability. Education is one of the most powerful ways to change them. Education that includes elements of pedagogical politics will nurture civilized humanity and justice, resulting in fruits that can be enjoyed by everyone for generations to come, in the form of peace. The true fruit of good education is universal peace, not just for exclusive groups.
This future-oriented understanding is roughly what needs to be communicated and socialized to students, who are the future generation’s successors. If not started and left unchecked, the future generation will become a generation of cowards who only seek shelter under group flags and prefer to engage in group violence. In short, in addition to pursuing intellectual competence, education must consider the aspects of universal justice and peace. Only through this path will the aspirations of the founders of this nation for a progressive and united Indonesia be achieved. Many experts provide analyses of the current political situation in Indonesia. Most express concern as it seems the nation is implementing Demagogic Politics, which manifests in high emotions, frequent incitement, and various primordial actions leading to hatred, violence, and even brutality. Everyone is urged to think clearly and in the long term, then contribute constructively according to their respective roles. In the field of education, pedagogical politics – opposing Demagogic Politics – is perhaps the most certain contribution.”