Muhadjir said accusing other people of intolerance for wearing religious clothing and symbols was not a good thing to do.
ducation and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy said on Saturday that educators should encourage multicultural dialogues with students to teach students to embrace diversity.
At an annual meeting of Catholic educational institutions in Jayapura, Papua, on Saturday, Muhadjir said he supported educational institutions’ initiatives to integrate diversity values in their teachings.
“Every educator has a responsibility to create a multicultural environment [at schools]. It should be their responsibility,” Muhadjir said in a statement.
Read also: I appreciate what Catholic schools have done for multiculturalism: Minister Muhadjir
Muhadjir cited as an example that accusing other people of intolerance for wearing religious clothing and symbols was not a good thing to do.
“We need transparency and dialogue to look for solutions together,” Muhadjir said.
Chairman of the National Catholic Education Council Rev. Darmin appreciated Muhadjir’s efforts for integrating character-building values in the ministry’s programs.
“We believe that character-building should embrace [the country’s] reality of multiculturalism. Papua itself is a reflection of diversity. Any form of education that leaves out local culture will soon lose its roots,” he said.
The annual National Catholic Education Council working meeting was attended by 300 participants representing Catholic educational institutions from 37 different dioceses nationwide.
Editor's note: The heading of this article has been updated to clarify Muhadjir's statement.
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.