Many rejections are better than no submission: lessons learned from publishing in International Journal

Many rejections are better than no submission: lessons learned from publishing in International Journal

By Hasnan Yasin

Many academics find it not easy to publish their papers in a reputable journal, including in internationally indexed journals. Some even consider publishing mostly in local-indexed journals since they think that it is easier to get accepted to some extent. This may be because of the dynamic behind publishing articles in a reputable journal. I had tried submitting my manuscripts to reputable journals many times before it was accepted by one. What I learned is that publishing is not just about writing quality papers, but also about finding a suitable journal to disseminate it. This brief writing is my reflection I noted from publishing in a reputable journal.

To begin with, I start with the writing quality. The writing must be of international standard. Even though specific guidelines are usually provided by each journal, common acceptable academic writing standards must be upheld. For example, the common structure used is IMRaD (short for Introduction, Method, Result, and Discussion), some journals also preferred it with literature review subject to the journal’s guideline; the stylistic convention and formatting needs to follow certain style such as APA (most common style I found), MLA, or other styles; ethical standards should be strictly considered and explicitly stated, especially for research involving human participations; the significance of the study must be presented; and the limitation of the study needs to be stated. This is just the starting point. The next one is related to selecting suitable journals to publish.

Beyond the writing itself, browsing and filtering journals can be very substantial and useful. I learned that choosing a journal is not just about looking at the name of the journal. It is beyond that. Paying attention to some points of a journal such as the scope, metrics, index, and even editors can be enlightening. The scope of the manuscript prepared must be in line with the journal scope. This can be seen from the stated aims and scopes and also from the published articles from previous volumes. Metrics is also important, especially if you are concerned much about the average time of the editorial process and the citation metrics. Indexing is another important point to notice in order to make sure that the journal is discoverable and credible. Lastly, getting to know the journal editors can be useful since they are in charge of overseeing the publication process. After carefully considering and finding a match to these points, submission is good to go.

Do not worry about the speed. Expect different length of editorial processes from different journals. Some journal editors have longer time to process your articles; others have shorter time. My first publication took me only three months from submission to its online publication. My second and the rest took a lot longer than that and are still in editorial process until this reflection is published. The average time of waiting is usually presented in the journal metrics. The metric usually portrays the fact based on previous year data. If the process takes a lot longer than what it says in the metrics, try emailing the editors or the editor assistance for clarification.

However, sometimes one try is not enough. That is why being tenacious is good in publishing an article. You have to expect that your first submission will not be great and rejection can be something you can find along the way. This does not necessarily mean that your article is not good enough, but it has not just found its place yet. I do not encourage you to submit one manuscript to many journals, instead, I encourage you to submit it again after one rejection. You also have to be reflective about what could possibly be improved after the rejection. Some editors sometimes include notes you can consider before submitting it again.

Be aware that the comments from reviewers and editors are not always nice but open spaces for learning and improvement. You can always take the comments from the reviewer and the editors as a learning opportunity for you. In my case, for example, since I wrote about financial literacy from large-scale educational assessment data, and my background is not economic, I learned some frameworks I used as lenses of my study. I learn about financial socialization and behavioral economics. Theories I have not heard before. This was initiated by the comments I received from the reviewers and editors. These comments are mostly constructive. The more comments you get the more opportunities you get for learning.

Finally, from publishing in international journals, I have learned that writing quality, journal selection, speed and timelines, tenacity and rejection, reviewer comments and growth are important points to consider in publishing and article. My final two cents is many rejections are better than no submissions. It may take time, but it is worth waiting.

by Bambang Sumintono

Insights Gained from the Wasathiya Course: Best Paper Award at a Scholarly Conference

Insights Gained from the Wasathiya Course: Best Paper Award at a Scholarly Conference

By Deshinta Puspa Ayu Dwi Argaswari

Learning about Wasathiya during my first semester was challenging for me. I remember telling my friends from the PhD in Education Batch 4 and Kelurahan LPDP-UIII several times that I need their help in understanding this course. Fortunately, the classroom discussions turned out to be far more open, warm, and thoughtful than I had imagined. Pak Andar, the lecturer once challenged me to reflect on Wasathiya from a Christian perspective as I am Christian studying Wasathiya. I began conducting a document analysis to explore how Christian schools informally implement values of moderation and tolerance.

I then decided to present the paper on International Conference on Islam and Education (ICONIE), organized by UIN K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid Pekalongan in collaboration with SEAMEO QITEP in Language. I saw it as an opportunity to share my paper and show that, deep within Christian education and curriculum, there are values aligned with Wasathiya and religious moderation. We are all working toward the same goal: nurturing harmony and diversity in this world.

At first, I was afraid. I was the only non-Muslim participant in the conference, and I worried that my topic might be considered sensitive. Yet the phrase, “If not now, then when? If not you, then who?” gave me courage. I felt that this was a responsibility to spread the essence of Wasathiya, especially to educators who would later pass these values on to their students. Hopefully, it would become knowledge that continues to benefit others.

Finally, I presented my paper. To my surprise, the audience warmly welcomed the perspective. Many participants found the paper and analysis interesting because it offered a new way of understanding Wasathiya/moderation. What began as an experience where I knew almost no one gradually turned into meaningful connections with many people. I was deeply inspired by the participants’ passion for learning, especially because many of them were no longer young, yet their enthusiasm remained extraordinary.

The conference itself was also enjoyable. I met Ajeng, an MA student from the Faculty of Education, and Babangida Muhammad, a student from Faculty of Islamic Studies. I had initially thought I was the only participant from UIII. I also met students and lecturers from Universitas Muhammadiyah Bekasi, who were incredibly kind and help me during the presentation.

Beyond presenting my own work, I gained valuable insights from the conference sessions. I met Ms. Van and Ms. Trang, speakers from Vietnam, who discussed art-based culture in language education. Their presentation reminded me of Fani’s (friend of mine in UIII) dissertation topic on culturally responsive pedagogy in Mathematics. Today, issues surrounding culture and humanity in education are becoming increasingly important. I was questioning ‘Why?”

I found part of the answer in Bu Itje Chodidjah’s lecture. She explained that although technology provides great power and convenience, the deeper meaning of education can gradually fade if humanity is neglected. Education is fundamentally about human relationships, emotions, and meaningful connections. Ethics help guide its direction. This is where humanity and culture play essential roles in supporting education today.

Of course, clashes and differences may arise throughout the process. Yet this is precisely where Wasathiya/moderation becomes important: bridging knowledge and humanity just as it bridges religions and diversity.

In the end, the conference became deeply meaningful for me. What I initially viewed as merely an opportunity to present my paper assignment turned into a transformative experience. I met people who were passionately fighting for education in their own ways. Their spirit illuminated the moments we shared, and our discussions broadened my understanding of education, culture, and humanity.

During the closing session, I was announced as the Best Presenter of the conference — not second or third place, but First Best Presenter among approximately 400 offline participants. Hearing my name and my paper title echo throughout the ballroom was unforgettable. At that moment, I was like ‘Thank God, I made the ‘Wasathiya’ being heard’. Even though this is not a topic that I fully mastered, I learned and grew through the challenges along the way.

I am also deeply thankful to my home university, Sampoerna University for its continuous support. I am equally grateful to Faculty of Education, UIII for giving me the opportunity to learn so many things. The faculty has guided me to courageously step into new experiences and continue learning, even at moments when I was afraid. My lecturers have been incredibly supportive throughout this journey. Pak Bambang always encouraged me to write and keep moving forward. Pak Andar consistently challenged me to explore more deeply and to embrace uniqueness in my work. My supervisor, Bu Destina, encouraged me to go beyond and enrich my knowledge. This is what students truly need: opportunities to learn not only inside the classroom, but also beyond it.

by Bambang Sumintono

Learning Beyond the Classroom: A Reflection on Research, Collaboration, and Academic Growth

Learning Beyond the Classroom: A Reflection on Research, Collaboration, and Academic Growth

By Nofi Maria K. and Munaya Nikma R.

The publication of our article in a Scopus Q2 journal became one of the most meaningful experiences in our journey as PhD students at the Faculty of Education, Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia. Looking back, this achievement was not merely about seeing our names published in an international journal. More importantly, it became part of a meaningful learning journey that allowed us to see more clearly how academic work is shaped through collaboration, responsibility, persistence, and continuous reflection. This journey began when our academic advisor, Dr. Destina Wahyu Winarti, invited us to participate as research assistants in a research project under RKI (Riset Kolaborasi Indonesia) scheme with UNNES (Universitas Negeri Semarang) and USK (Universitas Syiah Kuala). At the beginning, we imagined our role mainly as assisting with several technical aspects of the project. However, throughout the process, we were given opportunities to become involved in various stages of the research activities, including preparation meetings, collaborative discussions, workshop implementation, data management, as well as manuscript and project outcome development. Through these experiences, we realized that research is an interconnected process requiring communication, coordination, and sustained commitment over time.

As PhD students who were still learning to navigate academic writing and publication, these experiences became important spaces for learning. Many things that initially felt unfamiliar gradually became easier to understand because we were actively involved in the process rather than only learning about it theoretically. Being involved directly in these activities helped us realize that manuscript writing cannot be separated from the broader research journey itself. The discussions, collaborative activities, exchanges of ideas, and revisions throughout the project eventually became important foundations in shaping the manuscript and preparing it for publication. Through the activities, we learned to explore potential ideas and research design opportunities to write and publish within our research project topic, as reflected in the article we eventually published.

Our published article discusses the development of research related to socio-scientific issues in education, specifically within the science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. We identified several major themes related to socio-scientific issues, including sustainability, climate change, and social justice. Our findings then highlight the needs of interdisciplinary practices in education to promote socio-scientific context in the teaching and learning process, such as through STEM Education. Furthermore, we found that teacher training for socio-scientific contexts has become prevalent in recent years. These insights have informed one of the aims of our research project, which is to hold workshops for teachers to enhance their understanding of socio-scientific issues and integrate these concepts into classroom learning activities. By aligning our research outcomes with the goals of the RKI project, we hope that our work will extend beyond theoretical discourse and written publication to create meaningful impacts on teachers and students as key stakeholders in education.

Throughout the writing process, we gradually learned how collaborative academic writing is built through different roles and responsibilities. Under the guidance of our lecturer as the first author, we contributed to various stages of manuscript development, including conceptual discussions, exploring research gaps and building research novelty, deciding on the appropriate methodology, developing the literature review, data collection, analysis, and interpretation, drafting, editing, and revision processes. Although our roles differed, this collaboration taught us that meaningful academic work is always built collectively. Every contribution, regardless of its form, becomes an important part of interconnected contributions that support one another.

One of the most meaningful aspects of this journey was the trust and guidance given by Dr. Destina Wahyu Winarti throughout the entire process. For us, being trusted to participate directly in a collaborative international publication process became a valuable learning opportunity. Beyond research and writing techniques, we also gained valuable insights from observing how academic collaboration is managed, how ideas are negotiated through discussion, and how scholarly work requires both intellectual openness and consistency. Looking back, many of the things we understand today about academic writing were not learned instantly, but developed gradually through continuous practice, feedback, and shared learning experiences throughout the project. Through revising arguments and improving clarity, we realized that academic writing is not only about presenting knowledge, but also about communicating ideas responsibly and coherently.

The revision stage also became an important part of this learning experience. Feedback from the review process helped us recognize aspects of the manuscript that still required clarification and improvement. Through this process, we realized that even small revisions can strengthen the coherence and quality of academic writing. We realize that the review process also taught us to be accountable for the arguments we presented, particularly to address reviewers’ feedback carefully and comprehensively. More importantly, the experience reminded us that feedback should not always be viewed as criticism to be avoided, but as part of the academic conversation that helps sharpen arguments, improve clarity, and strengthen the overall quality of scholarly work. Beyond the review process itself, effective communication between authors and journal editors also plays an important role in achieving successful publication. As authors, we sometimes need to actively monitor the ongoing review and submission process to ensure timely correspondence.

More than the publication outcome itself, this journey gradually changed the way we view research and academic work as graduate students. Research no longer felt distant or intimidating, but instead became something that can be learned progressively through involvement, collaboration, and sustained practice. Some meaningful lessons emerged through ordinary moments throughout the process, including meetings, collaborative revisions, and responding to feedback. Finally, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to our supervisor, Dr. Destina Wahyu Winarti, and collaborators who guided us throughout this journey. Their trust and mentorship became valuable parts of our academic learning journey. This experience also reminded us that there is still much for us to continue learning throughout our academic journey. As science and research continue to evolve, we as students and researchers (regardless of the expertise area we worked on) should cultivate curiosity, maintain a lifelong learner mindset, and develop a consistent habit of reading to broaden our knowledge and perspectives. We hope this reflection can serve not only as a record of our experience, but also as a reminder that every academic journey develops gradually through persistence, collaboration, and continuous learning.

by Bambang Sumintono

From Dissertation to Chapter: On Empathy, Burnout, and Meaningful Academic Supervision

From Dissertation to Chapter: On Empathy, Burnout, and Meaningful Academic Supervision

By:  Syifa Mufiedatussalam

I never expected that writing an academic book chapter would teach me something so personal. But looking back now, I think that is exactly what happened.

The chapter is titled “The Well-Being of Early Childhood Teachers in Indonesia: Promoting Empathy to Mitigate Burnout,” published in Springer’s Handbook of Teacher’s Voice in Global South. It began, like most academic work, with questions: how are early childhood teachers in Indonesia actually doing, and does empathy play a role in protecting them from burnout? These questions shaped the structure of the writing, the first calling for a clear picture of teachers’ realities, the second asking us to look at how empathy, burnout, and well-being relate to one another. Both required careful thinking. But the process of getting there required something else entirely.

It required someone like Assoc. Prof. Charyna Ayu Rizkyanti.

Working with her has been, and continues to be, one of the great privileges of my doctoral journey. She brought clarity when I was tangled in my own thinking, and steadiness when the process felt overwhelming. She consistently offered a genuine care for me. She asked how I was. She creates space for being heard. She can be a mom, supervisor, and also a friend. She is a mom who sense when my tiredness before I said so. She offered warmth without me having to ask for it. But she can be a strict supervisor, who pay attention to the details. She pushed me to be more precise, to think more critically. When she became a friend, she can be a safe place where I could say anything. And I know that these are not something every doctoral student gets to experience. I do not take it for granted.

What strikes me now is how much this mirrors what the chapter is arguing. The study found that burnout among early childhood teachers is real and significant. The emotional exhaustion, the feeling of becoming distant from the work, and the loss of personal accomplishment can quietly accumulate over time. Surprisingly, it also found that empathy acts as a buffer. When people feel genuinely understood, they are seen as whole human beings. Then, something protective happens. Their well-being holds.

I lived this while writing about it. The PhD is a long journey, and it is not always easy. There are stretches where the reading feels endless, where the writing refuses to come. I went through all of that. But I did not experience burnout. And this all because I am accompanied by Mom Charyna, who made practice empathy every day in life.

Alhamdulillah. I mean that with my whole heart.

The chapter also challenged us methodologically. The mediation model we constructed supported that empathy does not merely coexist with well-being. Empathy actively carries some of the weight that burnout would otherwise place on a teacher’s shoulders. Arriving at that argument cleanly took many conversations and many revisions that finally end up with publication.

For the early childhood teachers this chapter is about, I hope this work revealed the real conditions. I hope it reaches people who have the power to make their conditions better. And for other PhD students who may be reading this: the quality of the relationship you have with your supervisor matters. It shapes not just the research, but you. If you are fortunate enough to have someone who sees you as a person first, hold onto that. It is rarer than it should be.

Assoc. Prof. Charyna Ayu Rizkyanti — thank you for being all of it. The supervisor, the mother figure, the friend. Thank you for the late nights and the honest feedback and the space to be myself. This chapter has your fingerprints all over it, in the best possible way.

by Bambang Sumintono

More Than Just 'Gibah Sedep': Our Learning Journey to Publishing a Paper in Ecopsychology Journal

More Than Just 'Gibah Sedep': Our Learning Journey to Publishing a Paper in Ecopsychology Journal

By: Muhamad Maulana, Alya Chairunnisa, & Lakhaula Sahrotul Aulia

Who says research has to be stiff and boring? For the three of us, our biggest academic breakthrough actually started from a casual discussion group we nicknamed "Gibah Sedep" (Savory Gossip). While "gibah" is usually associated with idle chatter, we turned it into a productive "academic gibah" session. Little did we know that those savory discussions would eventually lead us to a publication in one of the leading top SAGE journals, Ecopsychology. You can read the full paper here: https://doi.org/10.1177/19429347261449426

The "No" That Led to a Global "Yes" (Alya’s Perspective)

Publishing this research is a milestone we cherish, but it wasn't an instant success. What is now an international publication originally started as a humble vision for a campus research grant. We had high hopes, but when we weren't on the list, we had a choice: let the idea fade or believe it still had value.

We chose the latter. We realized that a setback isn’t a dead end, it’s just a redirection. That initial "No" was a blessing in disguise; it forced us to think bigger and work harder. It led us to seek a worldwide platform and, more importantly, it brought the three of us together. To anyone who has ever felt discouraged by a closed door: I hope you hold onto your vision. Sometimes, the "other way" is the one that leads to the most beautiful destination.

The "Juggling" Time of my UIII Life (Maulana’s Perspective) 

I remember the hectic days of juggling my Master’s thesis while simultaneously collecting data for this study. Since I was already exploring Spiritual Intelligence (SI), the ultimate intelligence that allows us to solve problems of meaning and value, for my master thesis. I wondered: Could this "individual inner compass" be the key to solving our global ecological crisis?

We "gassss" (went all out). I remember waiting at KRL stations, visiting a campus in Tangerang and Jakarta, and revisiting them to thank the lecturer who helped us reach nearly half of our research sample. When we presented at the REACT International Conference 2025 organized by PPIM UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, we were outliers with our quantitative models in a sea of qualitative studies. But that leap of faith was necessary. The "Saturday-Sunday office hours" we spent revising were tough, but seeing the "Accepted" email made the mile traveled and every hour spent on it feel completely worth it. In the end, this experience was the ultimate test of my own "internal compass." It showed me that when we are driven by genuine curiosity and a supportive community, we can navigate the most hectic seasons of our lives and turn academic challenges into meaningful contributions.

Theory Meets Practice: The Learning Curve (Ula’s Perspective)

I was pleasantly surprised when Maulana and Alya asked me to lead the quantitative analysis. It was a leap into the unknown; I had only learned the basics of the Rasch Model in class and had never touched SEM-PLS.

This project was my first chance to put theory into actual practice. I learned that analysis is far more than just running software, it’s about understanding the meaning behind each result. Interestingly, the feedback from international reviewers was remarkably similar to the feedback our UIII lecturers gave us in class. It made me realize that the academic standards at FoE UIII truly reflect international expectations. Stepping into unfamiliar territory when we didn’t feel fully prepared was the best learning decision we’ve ever made. I believe this was also supported by the "sat-set"—highly responsive and fast-paced collaboration—that naturally developed among the three of us throughout the writing and revision process. 

Strength in Connection (Our Collective Reflection)

What started as a campus proposal grew into a deeper collaboration where our interests "cross-pollinated." SI became a core part of Alya’s thesis, while Ula’s work on climate change added a vital layer to our environmental framework. 

Beyond the data, this was about the people. We shared random Google Meets on sunny weekends, constant mutual encouragement, and the shared stress of three rounds of revisions. As Maulana often says, "berproses itu perjalanan, satu-satu" (the process is a journey, one step at a time).

We are immensely grateful to the Faculty of Education at UIII for providing a world-class ecosystem that fosters such growth. This achievement doesn't just belong to us; it belongs to the community that supported us.

by Bambang Sumintono

Revisiting Teacher Training in Indonesia: A Personal Reflection on My Scholarly Contribution

Revisiting Teacher Training in Indonesia: A Personal Reflection on My Scholarly Contribution

by Arfiyan Ridwan

In July 2024, I received an invitation from my lecturers, Dr. Bambang and Dr. Lukman,  to co-author a book chapter in the Springer publication Handbook of Teachers' Voices in the Global South. The chapter, titled Navigating the Challenges: The Complex Landscape of Teacher In-Service Training in Indonesia (officially published on April 2026) marked an important moment in my academic journey, as it allowed me to engage in international scholarly writing on the historical development of teacher in-service training in Indonesia. The invitation aligned closely with my research area, which focuses on teacher education and professional development in the Indonesian context. At the time, I was starting to work on my dissertation whose literature review covers how Indonesian in-service teachers have been trained across the historical periods of the country.

My literature review for my dissertation explores the evolution of in-service teacher education in Indonesia, covering the periods of the Dutch colonialization and the Japanese occupation to the early independence, the Old Order, the New Order, and the reform period to nowadays. This literature review writing provides me a strong foundation in writing the chapter. The part in which I contributed to write is in the historical development of teacher in-service training in Indonesia in the period of the New Order with centralization of education before it shifted to decentralization in the next phase of governance in reform period. I see that this period became a significant phase of teacher training in Indonesia as the current programs of in-service teacher training was significantly initiated in this period.

The significant insight I have gained from assessing teacher training development in the particularly the New Order era to the present day is that there has been a long journey of how teachers have been trained with different schemes and needs. After the large-scale training programs for primary and secondary school teachers in 1975 to 1980, the key trainings during the period of the New Order comprise Pemantapan Kerja Guru (PKG) or Strengthening the Work of Teachers, the Sanggar Pemantapan Kerja Guru (SPKG), or Centers for Strengthening Teacher Work, Kelompok Kerja Guru (KKG), or Primary School Working Group KKG, and Musyawarah Guru Mata Pelajaran (MGMP), or Subject Teacher Working Group for secondary school teachers. At this time of year, I see that there has been a great foundation of how teachers are prepared in the level of primary and secondary level of education. The developed programs in the reform era to the present day can be said to be the results of those in the massive teacher development in the New Order period.

However, through examining their historical development, I realize that many recurring issues, including limited coordination, uneven implementation, and questions of effectiveness, have persisted across different programs and periods. This realization suggests that the core challenges are not simply the result of individual program design, but are rooted in broader structural conditions, such as bureaucratic complexity, resource distribution, and the vast geographical context of Indonesia. Despite claims that the in-service teacher trainings in the New Order succeeded to train teachers with significant numbers, the actual implementations might not be satisfying enough.  What lesson I take away is that the goal of improving teacher professional development is not merely introducing a new program to replace the old ones. Instead, it requires systemic changes how training is designed based on the needs, carefully planned, and sustained to the next periods.

Another important insight from the book chapter writing is that the extent of the modern teacher professional education program called PPG (Pendidikan profesi Guru) be understood as a part of historical trajectory from the Old Order period, rather than a new program or initiative. Currently, I am researching PPG for my doctoral dissertation research, and this is very relevant to what I analyzed in the book chapter. On this standpoint, I can critically reconsider how far the program of PPG represents genuine reform and resolves the past challenges of teacher in-service training. Specifically, I am researching to what extent the current PPG can accommodate the proper training for English language teachers assigned to teach in elementary schools in which previously, English teachers did not have a tenure teaching position in elementary school. After the issuance of new policy that in 2027 English subject becomes a mandatory subject in elementary school, PPG has been provided to train in-service English teachers in elementary school. Historical perspective is needed to understand PPG for this context, and I am glad to analyze the historical evolution of PPG from the New Order to the present day. While PPG is often positioned as a comprehensive effort to enhance teacher professionalism, the chapter may also reflect a reconfiguration of earlier training models, carrying forward both their strengths and unresolved limitations.

Finally, I would say that this experience to write in the book chapter has reinforced my belief that improving teacher professional development in Indonesia requires not only new program initiatives, but also a deeper engagement with the historical and continuous improvement to create sustainable and context specific needs of the trained teachers.

by Bambang Sumintono

Get to know more about the Revision of National Education System progress – study visit to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE)

Looking to the education policy in action is very interesting. On Monday, December 22, 2025, we are going to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) to know more about that. All my classmates from the Educational Policy Analysis class  are scheduled to have a discussion with the Education Standards, Curriculum, and Assessment Agency (BSKAP), specifically the Centre for Education Standards and Policy (PSKP), which handles Indonesia's national education policy or regarding National Education Standards. The topic of this visit is discussing the Draft Law on the new National Education System (RUU Sisdiknas), which is included in the 2025 Priority National Legislation Program (Prolegnas). The status of the bill is currently in the discussion and refinement stage in parliament. We are guided by our lectures from the Educational Policy Analyst class, Dr. Lukman Nul Hakim and R. Alpha Amirrachman, M.Phil., Ph.D., on this agenda and prior to the visit, we were given some reading materials related to the draft Law (bill) from our lectures to enrich the discussion.

This visit truly excited me and sparked great enthusiasm. This was due to my second visit to MoPSE as a student at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII), but also because the focus of this discussion was directly related to education policy, which is my current field of interest and concentration study. Furthermore, this visit provided an opportunity for us as students to learn more about the evolution of Indonesian Education Law. This discussion provided a glimpse into the perspectives of stakeholders directly involved in the decision-making process. Through this interaction, we gained a deeper understanding of the sequence of policy formation at the national level. This allowed me as a student to understand the lengthy process of drafting a law and the various parties involved in its formation. This provided a collaborative experience for students, bridging theoretical learning in the classroom to the real-world practice.

In this regard, we gathered in the morning to the Jakarta for the Ministry office towards the departure. Upon arrival at MoPSE, we were greeted by the Policy Analysis and Advocacy Working Team from the ministry. We arrived a little earlier than planned, and we didn't waste our time there; we were discussing something else instead. Guided by Pak Alpha, we opened our initially discussion with Mr. Lukman and Ms. Esy about submitting students’ work (e.g articles) to the ministry journals. They informed us that there are two journals that students can submit to: "Jurnal Penelitian Kebijakan Pendidikan" (Journal of Education Policy Research) & "Jurnal Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan" (Journal of Education and Culture). Several explanations were given regarding what students need to consider when submitting their papers to journals, including the journal's twice-yearly publication timeline. I think this is very insightful, apart from the main material discussed that day, we also got information about where we can publish our scientific work.

Afterward, at 10 am, we are going to the main agenda, a discussion with the Head of the Center for Education Standards and Policy, Mr. Irsyad Zamjani, Ph.D. Prior to the discussion, we were briefly introduced before Mr. Irsyad continued with his presentation. He presented material on The Revision of the National Education System Law, starting with explaining the evolution of education policy in Indonesia and the background of why the revision of the Indonesian education law is necessary. He also added about the stages in the Sisdiknas Revision which consists of 5 stages of the legislation process, which begins with Initiation, Preparation, Discussion, Reflection and it ends with Determination. In addition to that, he explained that MoPSE has supported this legislation process and provided us a brief overview of what activities have been carried out by MoPSE during 2025.

There are several key revisions highlighted in this change to the education system. This change is arguably quite massive because it goes beyond policy as a philosophical foundation to include substantive studies. Several aspects can serve as students' takeaways, for example, educational governance and pathways, compulsory education, curriculum and learning, teacher welfare, and educational funding. One of my takeaways from this discussion is the extension of compulsory education from 9 to 13 years. One of the hot topics in education frequently discussed both inside and outside the classroom is how the acknowledgment of early childhood education (ECE) takes place, and this is one of them. The addition of one year of compulsory education to ECE acknowledges that preschool education is as important as other levels of education.

The discussion then continued with a question-and-answer session. Students appeared very enthusiastic in listening to Mr. Irsyad's presentation, as evidenced by the large number of students who raised questions. The questions asked by the students were very diverse; this may reflect our interest in the field of discussion. Some of them concerned indigenous communities, distant learning, educational budgeting, language policy, and concerns on the average length of schooling. Towards the end of the discussion, he added regarding the discussion of the Revision of the National Education System Law, MoPSE did not work alone, but also participated by inviting several related stakeholders and non-governmental organizations in the discussion regarding this legislation process.

by Bambang Sumintono

Learning Beyond the Classroom: Teaching, Empathy, and Confidence

Learning Beyond the Classroom: Teaching, Empathy, and Confidence

By Nida Hanifah

Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, was the day I had the opportunity to directly participate in community engagement at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri in Cilegon. This journey was not simply a change of location, but the beginning of a meaningful learning experience, both for us as students and for the students we would meet. Throughout the journey, my mind was filled with questions and anxieties. How to deliver the lesson to the students there? Would they be able to understand me? considering it had been quite some time since I had interacted directly with high school students. These concerns mingled in my mind, occasionally diverted by the background music playing on the bus.

Upon arrival at MAN 1 Cilegon, we were warmly greeted by the teachers and students. The welcome was sincere and full of enthusiasm. Our presence, consisting of students from diverse backgrounds, both Indonesian and international, seemed to bring a new dimension to the school. My enthusiasm was ignited. I felt impatient to greet, share stories and knowledge with them. I assured myself, "Bismillah, I can make it."

The atmosphere reminded me of my past experiences as a volunteer teacher for Indonesian immigrant children in Malaysia. The smiles, curious gazes, and enthusiasm of the students at MAN 1 Cilegon brought back memories of my former students. They all showed an openness to new teachers, new knowledge, and new experiences. From that, I felt again that my presence as a teacher, even if only once, could be meaningful to them.

I was placed in one of the 11th grade classes with my teaching partner, Saidou. We began the session by introducing ourselves in English, both teachers and students. Initially, I expected the session to be short. However, in reality, the introduction process took quite long because most of the students had limited English proficiency. From their expressions and body language, I could sense fear, hesitation, and a lack of confidence when it came to answering our questions in English. At that moment, one thing that kept coming to my mind was that they needed encouragement and reassurance that it is okay to make mistakes and not give up. Learning is a journey, and it is never too late to start.

In the classroom, we focused on the importance of mastering English in education and the benefits of knowledge for the future. Considering they were in 11th grade and would graduate in the next one to two years, I felt it was important for them to start thinking about the direction and goals they wanted to achieve in life. Of the nine students in the class, three expressed their desire to continue their education abroad, to places like Egypt, Yemen, and England. This amazed me because at their age, I did not think of studying abroad. I believe these dreams will guide them towards a brighter future.

Throughout the learning process, we often translated explanations into Bahasa to ensure they understood the lesson. Nevertheless, I felt grateful that the hour and a half we had was worth it. Initially, some students seemed less enthusiastic, but this was more due to their limited English comprehension. After the material was explained again in Indonesian, they showed great enthusiasm and actively answered questions.

The game we played at the end of the class was super fun. It was a Snake Words game. From that game, I could see the competitiveness in the quiet children, this proves that we cannot judge people only by their appearance and visible habits. Everyone has a different way of learning and has different ambitions. I told them not to be discouraged even though their names are not the ones often called to receive awards during ceremonies, not the names that are always praised by teachers, not the names that are famous in school. They deserve to have a bright future, it does not mean that those who may seem invisible and unknown cannot prove that they can be successful in the future.

Through this experience, I realized that every student has a different background, way of thinking, and level of confidence. The biggest challenge for me is not only delivering the lesson, but also creating a safe and comfortable learning space, where students feel valued and are not afraid to make mistakes. Reflecting on this activity taught me that meaningful learning is born from empathy, effective communication, and a willingness to listen. Going forward, I hope this community engagement can continue to be implemented on an ongoing basis, so that the relationship between UIII and communities can grow stronger and have a positive impact on both sides.

by Muhammad Sufyan

Rethinking Education: Of the Children, With the Children, and For the Children

Rethinking Education: Of the Children, With the Children, and For the Children

By Ihsan-Isah Imam Zaman

On December 16, 2025, the Faculty of Education from Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia conducted a community engagement visit to Madrasah Aliyah Negeri in Cilegon. MA Batch 4 and PhD Batch 3 students, along with lecturers and faculty staff, visited the school as part of their commitment to maintaining a beneficial relationship with the local community. During this brief visit, the lecturers and students conducted short learning sessions with the hope of benefiting the local students.

One of the lingering thoughts I had after this experience was the question: how do we really see education and school? Is it merely a process of transferring knowledge and building skills so students can become part of the future labor force? Is a school simply a place where children and youth go to acquire these things? These were some of the lingering thoughts I carried with me.

When looking at the current unemployment crisis prevalent not only in Indonesia but also in neighboring countries, I found myself wondering whether we are preparing our children for future disappointment. I recalled that a few years ago, I was in their position, and I wondered whether, if someone had told me then what I know now, it could have served as a cautionary reflection.

I wished I could have told them that, at this stage of life, what they have is energy and time. They trade that time to acquire knowledge and skills, which they later trade for opportunities and sources of income. But then again, are we not currently facing an unemployment crisis?

They say the best time to plant trees was a hundred years ago, and the next best time is today. In that spirit, I hope that educators and teachers can transform the way they see education. Children and youth need help to comprehend things that still feel incomprehensible to them. At the same time, they also need protection, while ensuring that their agency and autonomy are not infringed upon.

When we see children merely as future members of the labor force, we risk reducing them to mere products. But how do we reconcile the idea that children are our future without robbing them of their present? For us, we may help provide options and present possibilities, but the ultimate decision rests with them. Our responsibility, then, lies in shaping conditions that expand rather than narrow those possibilities, with an emphasis on nurturing and guiding them.

We do not have to worry that they may fail to contribute productively to the sustainability of humankind, as long as we nurture them with values that respect their agency and autonomy. By agency, I mean children’s capacity to have a voice and participate meaningfully in decisions that affect them, while autonomy refers to their growing ability to make age-appropriate choices and take responsibility.

To say the least, it is an undue burden to tell children outright that they are the future without risking their humanity. It is like telling Peter Parker that he must be Spider-Man. We do not have to make children become the heroes who must save a future that we, as adults, have helped shape.

If we teach them the values of humanity, care for the environment, and responsibility toward community, then we need not doubt whether they will destroy the future or help it flourish. From an Islamic perspective, there is a well-known saying that reminds us: “Do not raise your children the way your parents raised you, for your time and their time are different.”

I leave my lingering question unanswered. Perhaps, as a reader, you can answer it for yourself. Or perhaps you may find yourself asking the same question, and we may arrive at similar answers in time. I will end this reflection with this thought: the people we are today are shaped by our past context and environment, so what kind of present context and environment do we want our children to have? In the end, this reflection reminded me that education is not only about preparing children for the future, but also about honoring their dignity and agency in the present.

by Muhammad Sufyan