Education and Culture

Oleh: Syamsul Maatif, SS. M.Pd Reformasi pendidikan bukan sekadar perubahan dokumen kurikulum. Ia adalah upaya menyeluruh untuk membangun generasi masa depan yang tangguh, adaptif, dan bermakna. Di tengah gelombang perubahan global, Indonesia mencoba melangkah dengan gagah melalui kebijakan Kurikulum Merdeka. Namun, untuk menjadikannya lebih dari sekadar wacana, kurikulum ini perlu berjalan beriringan dengan transformasi digital pendidikan yang merata dan berkelanjutan. Kurikulum Merdeka dirancang untuk menjawab tantangan pendidikan abad ke-21. Ia mengusung semangat pembelajaran yang berpihak pada murid, membebaskan guru dari tekanan administratif, dan mendorong pembelajaran yang relevan dengan kehidupan. Dalam konsep ini, siswa tak hanya dituntut menguasai materi, tapi juga mampu berpikir kritis, bekerja kolaboratif, dan menyelesaikan masalah dunia nyata. Namun pertanyaannya, sejauh mana semangat merdeka ini bisa terealisasi tanpa dukungan ekosistem digital yang kuat? Teknologi: Antar...

Oleh: anonimous Di tengah upaya masif pemerintah dalam memperbaiki kualitas pendidikan nasional melalui program-program seperti Kurikulum Merdeka dan digitalisasi sekolah, sebuah ancaman serius justru muncul dari aktor yang semestinya menjadi garda terdepan reformasi pendidikan: para kepala sekolah. Ironisnya, bukan hanya secara individu, namun dugaan praktik korupsi ini diduga terorganisir melalui wadah resmi bernama perkumpulan kepala sekolah. Secara legal, perkumpulan kepala sekolah di berbagai jenjang pendidikan dibentuk sebagai forum koordinasi, penguatan kepemimpinan, serta kolaborasi lintas sekolah. Tujuan utamanya, di atas kertas, adalah mempererat solidaritas profesi kepala sekolah dalam rangka mewujudkan pendidikan yang bermutu dan berintegritas. Namun kenyataannya, di banyak daerah, organisasi ini justru bertransformasi menjadi jaringan kekuasaan yang menjalankan praktik “pengondisian” proyek, pengaturan jabatan, bahkan pemotongan dana BOS dan DAK fisik. Modus Praktik Sistem...

By Syamsul Maarif Sirampog, Not "Si Rampok" Sirampog—a name often wrongly associated with the word "si rampok" (the robber), as if it were a land of thieves. But no, Sirampog is a region imbued with religious nuance. One of the largest Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) in Central Java is located here. The word Sirampog consists of two syllables: siram and pog. Siram means to pour water, and pog means thoroughly or completely. Literally, Sirampog can be interpreted as a place thoroughly doused with water. This matches the reality that Sirampog comprises several villages blessed with natural springs. However, today this has become an anomaly, as many springs—especially in lower-lying villages like Benda, Kaliloka, Manggis, and Buniwah—have dried up. --- Disaster Again? Lately, Sirampog has been trending in the news—not for religious reasons, but due to a natural disaster: ground movement that has displaced over 300 residents and damaged more than 100 houses. Roads ...

Introduction Hegemony of power is a concept that explains how a dominant group maintains its control not only through coercion but also through social and cultural consent. Antonio Gramsci, an Italian philosopher and political activist, developed this theory by emphasizing that power does not only operate through the military or law but also through control over ideology, education, and media. In modern life, hegemony can be seen in various aspects such as politics, media, and economics. This article will discuss how hegemony works and provide specific examples from different social contexts. Definition of Hegemony of Power Simply put, hegemony is the dominance of one group over another through ideologically formed consent rather than mere coercion. According to Gramsci, the ruling class not only controls economic resources but also shapes people's ways of thinking so that they accept the existing system as something natural and unchangeable. For example, in many capitalist countri...

The song Bayar Bayar Bayar by the punk band Sukatani became a hot topic on social media due to its sharp lyrics criticizing bribery within the police institution. Although the song was eventually withdrawn and the band issued an apology, its presence sparked a broader discussion about freedom of expression, art as a tool for social critique, and the fine line between criticism and defamation. Throughout history, music has served as a powerful medium for expressing social unrest. From Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind, which criticized war, to Iwan Fals’ songs that highlight social inequalities in Indonesia, music has the power to document, reflect, and even provoke social change. The lyrics of Bayar Bayar Bayar speak to an experience familiar to many when dealing with bureaucratic corruption. This song is not merely an outburst of anger but also a representation of an undeniable social reality. In this case, punk music serves as a channel for voicing frustrations against a flawed system....

Novel Larung (2001) karya Ayu Utami merupakan lanjutan dari Saman yang mempertajam eksplorasi kebebasan individu, spiritualitas, dan kritik sosial-politik pascareformasi. Novel ini penuh dengan simbol dan metafora yang menggambarkan pergulatan batin tokoh-tokohnya dalam menghadapi trauma, seksualitas, dan ideologi. Salah satu simbol paling menonjol dalam novel ini adalah tindakan "larung," sebuah konsep yang dalam budaya Jawa sering dikaitkan dengan ritual pelepasan atau pembersihan spiritual. Tindakan larung dalam novel ini menjadi titik tolak bagi berbagai interpretasi: apakah ia merupakan bentuk penolakan terhadap nilai-nilai tradisional, bentuk perlawanan politik, atau justru pencarian makna spiritual yang lebih dalam? Melalui pendekatan hermeneutik dan intensionalisme, kritik ini akan membandingkan bagaimana makna tindakan larung dapat dipahami dari sudut pandang pembaca dan niat pengarang. Simbol Larung: Antara Pelepasan dan Perlawanan Dalam tradisi Jawa, upacara larung...

When we talk about education in Indonesia, the name Ki Hajar Dewantara always comes to mind. He is not only the Father of Indonesian Education but also the pioneer of an educational philosophy that emphasizes freedom, role modeling, and character building. So, what exactly is Ki Hajar Dewantara’s approach to education? 1. Learning with Freedom: Education that Liberates Ki Hajar Dewantara believed that education should free individuals, not just teach memorization or produce workers. He wanted every child to develop according to their own talents and interests rather than being forced to follow a rigid system. This concept is similar to today’s Merdeka Belajar (Freedom to Learn) policy in Indonesian schools. 2. The Three Pillars of Education: Ing Ngarsa Sung Tulodho Ki Hajar Dewantara’s educational philosophy is well known for the motto: Ing ngarsa sung tulodho (in front, setting an example) Ing madya mangun karso (in the middle, encouraging enthusiasm) Tut wuri handayani (at the back, ...