Sumber ilustrasi: Unsplash
30 April 2026 14.20 WIB – Umum
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Desanomia [30.04.2026] A fundamental question arises when the proposal of a self-reliant society is put forward. It is a reflective question about the world of education: is it possible for a truly civil society to emerge if education continues in its current direction and form? That is, an education increasingly positioned as a gateway to employment. Certificates from educational institutions become tickets for entry into the world of work.
Within the framework of a self-reliant society, education cannot be understood in that way. Education is no longer a pathway to employment, but a process of forming human beings capable of creating value. The old orientation must shift toward one that places education as a space for developing human capacity to face and shape the world.
In a job-seeking society, as mentioned earlier, education functions as a mechanism of selection. It sorts, ranks, and determines who is eligible to enter pre-existing structures. In a self-reliant society, this function shifts. Education becomes a formative process that opens possibilities for everyone to participate and not just to be selected.
This transformation demands a new understanding of knowledge. Knowledge is no longer seen as a collection of information to be mastered, but as a way of understanding reality. Learning becomes a process of engaging with experience, reading situations, and discovering meaning. From this emerges the capacity to act, not merely to remember.
Skills also take on an expanded meaning. They are not limited to technical abilities demanded by the market, but include the capacity to create, collaborate, take initiative, and solve real problems. Education becomes a space for practicing action and not merely for acquiring theory.
At a deeper level, education must cultivate an ethos of participation. From the beginning, learning experiences should demonstrate that value does not come from outside, but can be formed through involvement. In this sense, learning is not preparation for life; it is part of life itself.
Relationships within education must also change. A one-way model, where knowledge flows from top to bottom, is no longer sufficient. More dialogical relationships open space for the exchange of ideas and experiences. In such a setting, learning becomes a shared process rather than passive reception.
Diversity becomes an essential element in education for a self-reliant society. Each individual carries different tendencies and potentials. Education must provide space for various forms of expression—whether in art, technology, thought, or social practice. From this diversity emerges richness in value creation.
Access to education must be understood as a fundamental right. Not everyone begins from the same starting point, so support is necessary to ensure equal opportunity. Assistance in education functions as a bridge, not a source of dependency. Its purpose is to enable each person to grow and participate.
Measures of educational success must also be reconsidered. Success is no longer defined by how quickly graduates are absorbed into the job market. A more fundamental measure is the ability to stand independently, take roles, and create value. Self-reliance becomes a more relevant indicator than placement.
Education carries a broad social dimension. Through education, ways of living together are formed. The values cultivated in the learning process will be reflected in society. When participation and self-reliance become foundational in education, they will also shape collective life.
Education is not merely an institution, but a cultural foundation. From education emerge perspectives on work, value, and the role of human beings in the world. Transformations in education will lead to transformations in the structure of society as a whole.
What do you think? (njd)
Note: This article was made as part of a dedicated effort to bring everyday life around us to our minds.
