Local wisdom-based multicultural education : Muhammadiyah experience

Abstract

Local wisdom plays a role in helping to face every day challenges. Indonesia’s society is multicultural and has a variety of local wisdom. Local wisdom is a product of thoughts, views of life, behavior, habits, and other elements produced by certain communities that show the identity and uniqueness of that community. The diversity of local wisdom can be accessed and cultivated through education because education is a place for the nation's future generations to learn and be guided as citizens and leaders. Through its network of members spread across various parts of the country, Muhammadiyah has established a large number of educational institutions from early childhood to tertiary institutions spread across the archipelago. The motivation is the da'wah of Islam through educational institutions. At the same time, Muhammadiyah carries the spirit of inclusivity as it has organised education for all. It can be said that Muhammadiyah adjusts itself to the local wisdom by accepting students regardless of religious, ethnic, citizenship and economic background. This inclusivity of Muhammadiyah educational institutions is proven by the fact that it is mostly Christian students who attend many Muhammadiyah schools and universities in the eastern parts of Indonesia. The teachers play the most important role in ensuring that a democratic, peaceful and enriching schooling eco-system comes into existence. The training of the teachers and support staff can be perceived as emphasising on three major parts: awareness, knowledge, and skills.