Reviving the Spirit of Kenusantaraan: Transformation of Educational Institutions as the Foundation for a Civilized National Identity
Keywords:
Educational Transformation, Nusantara Identity, National IdentityAbstract
This study examines the urgency and forms of transformation within Indonesia's educational institutions in reviving the spirit of Nusantara identity as a foundation for a civilized national identity. Nusantara education, rooted in institutions such as surau, meunasah, mosque, pesantren, and madrasah, possesses a distinctive spirit that unites knowledge, spirituality, and local wisdom, yet has experienced erosion due to shifting policies across historical eras, competing paradigms of Islamic thought, and the pressures of global modernization and digitalization. This research employs a qualitative approach through library research, using content analysis of relevant literature on educational institutions, spirituality, and socio-cultural transformation. The findings indicate that successful institutional transformation is not one that uproots institutions from their socio-cultural foundations, but one that positions local wisdom as a basis for adapting to contemporary demands, including technological integration and strengthened pedagogical competence. The primary challenges lie in human resource readiness, inclusivity, and responsiveness to legal and global geopolitical contexts. This study concludes that a civilized national identity can only be achieved through education that remains rooted in Nusantara identity while staying open to responsible renewal.
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