MUHAMMADIYAH.ID, YOGYAKARTA – In the opening of a webinar on education conducted by Majlis of Primary and Secondary Education of Muhammadiyah on Saturday (13/5), Chairman of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah Dahlan Rais mentioned several aspects to foster Muhammadiyah schools.
Besides achievements, Dahlan stated that Muhammadiyah schools should portray characteristics of progressive Muhammadiyah such as humanist teachers and civilized noble students.
“Muhammadiyah education is aimed at engendering pious children having faith and being obedient to perform worship. Thus, we will possess children whose knowledge benefits others. Indeed, the knowledge may not be separated from good deeds. Doing good deeds may also not taqlid (follow other people’s opinions), but we should have the knowledge,” advised Dahlan.
“First, the schools can create a great image. Then, they build trust. When two aspects are achieved, the people should follow,” contended Dahlan.
In the webinar on ‘From Nothing to Something: Strategies to Foster Muhammadiyah Schools’, Dahlan Rais asserted that the success of Muhammadiyah schools is supported by sincere educators.
“The most essential aspect is the people so that we have to focus on the development of human resources such as teachers and headmasters. The teachers will be successful if they love their job. Some of teachers are reluctant to evolve themselves. Therefore, besides loving what they do, they should have visions to develop, be competitive, and possess a motto ‘if others can do it, why I can’t,’,” maintained Dahlan.
“Schools will be excellent if they teachers always keep learning and see other people’s weaknesses and strengths. The process can be undertaken as an individual, but it will be easier if it is done collectively. Hence, teachers may spend some time gathering, sharing difficulties in teaching, and providing suggestions to one another,” conveyed Dahlan who has devoted himself to being an educator for about 50 years.
He also told headmasters to have marvelous leadership skills and broad networks.
“Afterwards, the headmasters should mold piety, belief, perseverance, persistence, and passions, and endurance. After all the characteristics are built, other aspects may be enhanced,” mentioned Dahlan.