Pendidikan

Pendidikan, an Indonesian term for education, refers to the process of facilitating learning and development in which individuals acquire knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes. It encompasses formal schooling, non-formal instruction, and informal learning that together aim to prepare people for personal fulfillment, social participation, and economic activity.

The word 'pendidikan' derives from the root didik (to educate or nurture) with the agentive prefix pen-, forming a noun that denotes the practice or system of education.

Education is delivered through formal systems—schools, colleges, and universities—often organized into levels such as early childhood, primary, secondary, and tertiary education. Non-formal education includes community programs, vocational training, and adult education, while informal education occurs through family life, work, media, and culture. In many countries, including Indonesia, policy frameworks define standards, curricula, teacher qualifications, and assessment to ensure learning outcomes.

Global priorities emphasize universal access to quality education, equity across gender and socioeconomic groups, relevance to labor markets, and lifelong learning. Organizations such as UNESCO promote SDG 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive, quality education for all. Governments, educators, families, and communities share responsibility in delivering pendidikan and improving educational outcomes.

Challenges include funding gaps, regional disparities, teacher shortages, and disparities in digital access. When effectively implemented, pendidikan supports individual empowerment and social and economic development, contributing to informed citizenship and innovation.