PRIME NEWS POST
Every new academic year, the same debate resurfaces: is public education better than private? Should one attend a state university or a private institution? Parents compete over status, students are burdened by the prestige of their alma mater, while society unconsciously continues to build divides between “public-sector graduates” and “private-sector graduates.”
Yet objectively assessed, institutional status is not the defining measure of an educated person’s quality. Public or private designations merely describe how an institution is managed and funded. That status does not automatically determine who is more intelligent, more principled, or more dedicated to serving the nation.
History shows that many prominent figures have emerged from modest private universities. Conversely, not a few graduates of prestigious state institutions have fallen into corruption or abandoned moral principles. What truly matters is not the renown of the alma mater, but the character developed within each learner: critical reasoning, the courage to question prevailing conditions, and the resolve to remain silent no longer when injustice is observed.
Education is not merely about earning a diploma; it is the process of forming individuals capable of independent thought, rational analysis, and proposing solutions to advance the nation.
A graduate—from any institution—can only be called truly educated if they see the nation’s challenges clearly, think analytically, resist being swayed by information trends, dare to speak truth even when unpopular, and turn concern into ideas and concrete action.
This spirit aligns with the noble vision of the Asta Cita: building an outstanding Indonesian workforce, expanding access to quality education, and fostering a sovereign nation through a generation of integrity and progressive thought.
These aspirations will not be achieved merely by constructing grand school buildings or expanding state-run institutions. Far more critical is ensuring that every child of this nation—regardless of where they study—receives equal opportunity to grow into critical, honest, creative individuals with the courage to drive change.
Thus, every educated person must uphold one simple yet fundamental principle: one may make mistakes, but one must never lie.
Critical ability without honesty only produces those skilled at justifying wrongdoing. Honesty without critical thinking, in turn, yields blind obedience with no sense of direction.
Error is a natural part of learning. To dare to try, to voice an opinion, and to make mistakes is an act of growth. Deceit, however, is a betrayal of the very purpose of education.
A nation filled with intelligent people who nonetheless manipulate facts, cover up errors, or justify wrongdoing for momentary gain will never truly progress.
Therefore, education—whether in schools or universities, public or private—must instill the courage to say: “I may be wrong, but I will not lie.” This is the value that will produce trustworthy leaders, not merely those with titles or academic reputations.
It is time society ended the false dichotomy between public and private, as if they belonged to different castes.
The far more important question is: has our education formed individuals who think critically, uphold honesty, and dare to take part in building a better Indonesia?
Ultimately, Indonesia will not be built on alma mater status or academic prestige. It will be built by a generation that dares to think, learns from mistakes, and never sacrifices integrity.
(End of article)
Prof. (Hc.) Dr. Kun Nurachadijat, S.E., M.B.A
Vice Rector IV for Domestic and International Cooperation, STAI Kharisma Sukabumi
Chairman, PROUI
Expert Staff, Office of the Presidential Staff
Alumnus, Lemhannas RI Training of Trainers Program
Reported from various media sources //photo from Google documents // contribution by Prime News Post international online media // news.paper
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