We used to think that the biggest problem in education was the low competence of teachers. But over time he became friends with teachers from all over Indonesia, we found that the main problem was not a lack of skills—it was a feeling of helplessness. Teachers who feel they have no power. Do not dare to speak. Not sure if I have room to study.
They are not incapable, but too often told. Was asked to take part in this training, must take the program, I was sent a module from up there which he said was definitely correct. Top-down and uniform, as if the teacher was just the executor, not a planner. As if learning is the boss's business, not part of the teacher's own identity.
At that point we realized: change will not come from one or two winged educational heroes. Change came when ordinary teachers began to believe that they could learn, and learning can change everything.
And because of that, we're not waiting for Superman.
We are waiting for the Learning Teacher.
Teacher Learning is not a title, not even a department. Learning Teachers are those who continue to hone their curiosity despite their busy schedules, who opened a new study room even though there was no order. Those who are willing to share good practices with each other even though they don't get incentives, who try new things in class even if they don't necessarily succeed.
They don't wear robes, but they help students understand the world. They don't have lasers from the eyes, but they break boundaries with collaboration. They don't fly, but they raised hope—hope that education could be humane and meaningful.
The Indonesian Educators Gathering Movement proves this. Starting from one small meeting, now spread to more than 82 area. Not because of a mandate from above, but because teachers invite each other. Not because of the big budget, but because of the infectious enthusiasm. Teachers learn from other teachers, not from a forced module. They build learning communities, not a new hierarchy. They discovered that change does not have to be heroic, pretty consistent, simple, and done togetherNew – UN Speech Text....
We learned three things from the Learning Teachers.
First, Teachers need freedom to learn. Not freedom without direction, but space to choose a learning path that suits their context. When the teacher sets the learning pace himself, sense of belonging grows, motivation is on.
Second, teachers cannot learn alone. Communities are growing ecosystems that keep the spirit alive. Not just gathering, but share with each other, strengthen each other, and remind each other: that we are not alone in this effort.
Third, innovation doesn't come from big posters or new jargon. It grows slowly from simple practices shared voluntarily. This is the true form of transformation—slow but deep-rooted, collaborative and contextual.
We are not anti-policy. But we know, Even the best policies will fail if teachers are not involved. We believe, the government's role is to create a safe space for teachers to learn. The agency's role is to design systems that support local initiatives, not crushing it.
And we all have a role? Keep that passion burning. Recognize that education is not a fast-food project, but it's a long journey to build a human.
So if you ask, “What is the best strategy to improve the quality of our education??” Our answer: Provide a study space for teachers.
If you ask, “Who should lead educational change?” Our answer: The teacher himself.
And if you ask, “What are we waiting for?”
Our answer:
We're not waiting for Superman. We are waiting for the Learning Teacher.
We are waiting for you all, We are waiting for the Learning Teacher to attend the Indonesian Educators Gathering.
Thank you for listening. I am Bukik Setiawan, Learning Teacher friends.
Let's keep learning together—because the future of education doesn't come from the sky, but growing from our own classrooms.