Indonesia’s Education Minister Emphasizes AI as a Tool to Support, Not Replace, Teachers
– Indonesia’s Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, has underscored the importance of viewing artificial intelligence (AI) as a support mechanism for educators, rather than a replacement for their role in the learning process.
Speaking on Thursday, Minister Mu’ti stated that while AI offers significant advancements in technology, it lacks the essential human qualities necessary for effective education. “AI is a product of machine learning, algorithms, and technology. It is merely a tool,” he said. “Education remains about building human character, which cannot be replaced by technology. Humans control technology and use it for the benefit of others and the welfare of our planet.”
The Minister’s comments came during a discussion about the evolving challenges facing the education sector, specifically how to integrate technology while preserving core human values. He acknowledged AI’s capacity for rapid data processing and information delivery, but emphasized its inability to replicate the lived experience, moral responsibility, and inherent humanity that teachers bring to the classroom.
“AI can give advice and explain many things, but it does not act and it does not experience,” Mu’ti explained. He stressed that control over the implementation and use of AI remains firmly in human hands, and that a critical approach is essential to avoid misinformation.
The Indonesian Ministry of Education is actively preparing for the integration of AI into the national curriculum, with plans to roll out AI and coding as elective subjects for primary and secondary school students beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year. Students in fifth grade and junior high school are expected to spend two hours per week on these subjects, while high school students could dedicate up to five hours. For grades 11 and 12, the learning is optional, with a maximum allocation of four class hours.
This initiative aims to equip Indonesian students with the skills necessary to navigate the ongoing industrial revolution and potentially become future technology leaders, according to Winner Jihad Akbar, Director of Secondary Education at the Ministry.
However, alongside the integration of AI, Minister Mu’ti highlighted the need to strengthen English language learning, with plans to make it a mandatory subject starting in the third grade of elementary school in 2027. This policy is intended to provide students with the ability to communicate and interact on a global scale from a young age, emphasizing a “deep learning” approach that prioritizes understanding over rote memorization.
“Learning experiences should be designed to be more active, contextual, and meaningful, so students can use the language in real-life situations,” Mu’ti said.
UHAMKA English professor Herri Mulyono echoed the sentiment that AI should not diminish the role of teachers, but rather empower them to become facilitators of critical thinking, ethical reflection, and cultural awareness. He cautioned against over-reliance on AI and emphasized the importance of maintaining teachers’ professional identity.
The discussion also touched upon the ethical considerations surrounding AI use, particularly in the digital space. Minister Mu’ti underscored that AI’s output is dependent on the quality of the data it is fed, making accurate sourcing crucial.
The Minister expressed hope for increased collaboration between countries and across disciplines to enrich English learning policies and practices in Indonesia, while maintaining a human-centered approach to education.
