ABSTRACT
This chapter charts the development of the Indonesian education system from premodern times to the present. It pays particular attention to contemporary links between Indonesian schools and the nation’s political system, culture, geography, and history. These connections are particularly complex and revealing, not least because Indonesia is made up of some 260 million citizens spread across thousands of islands. Children come to school with a wide range of social and cognitive backgrounds and needs. Historically, the government has emphasized educators’ obligations to the state. While this has created some stability, in recent years, it has also created challenges, as the Ministry of Education has attempted to enhance the quality of instruction and raise academic standards. Historically, teachers have been rewarded for displaying loyalty rather than initiative or creativity. This mismatch between the objectives of recent education reforms and teacher conceptions of their professional responsibilities has impeded efforts to promote school reform.
