Why is literacy education necessary?

One of the slogans of the Reformation is sola scriptura. The Reformation made the Bible accessible to ordinary people thanks to the invention of the Gutenberg printing press. The Bible could be printed and widely distributed, allowing many people to own it, but one of the issues was the high illiteracy rate. This created a significant obstacle to the effort of upholding sola scriptura. Therefore, Luther encouraged widespread education so that people could learn to read. The state was urged to take responsibility for the education of its people, and libraries were opened in various places. Thanks to the Reformation, the literacy rate increased.

An even more fundamental reality is that Christians are a people who receive God's revelation in the form of the Scriptures. To read the Scriptures, study it, and meditate on it requires grace and literacy skills. Through literacy, a person is able to think more critically and deeply. The Bible and the spirit of the Reformation provide more than enough reason to emphasize literacy education as the most essential foundation.

What is included in the scope of literacy?

Literacy encompasses the knowledge and skills needed to search for, access, understand, analyze, and evaluate information; to make meaning and study thoughts and emotions; the essence of which is to conduct life research by actively participating in both school activities and daily life outside of school. In this digital era, literacy also includes the ability to filter and use information from the internet wisely. Additionally, literacy involves the ability to interpret, enjoy, and appreciate works of art, fostering a taste for beauty.

How to measure literacy skills?

Literacy skills can be measured by observing whether a child's knowledge, skills, and wisdom grow in interpreting and using language to understand themselves and their surroundings with confidence and the right motivation.

Why is numeracy education necessary?

God created this universe with order, which can be understood through numeracy skills. Numeracy as a whole is the ability to think mathematically in everyday life, and not just the ability to count and solve math problems. Numeracy becomes an essential part of accessing all aspects of life. Numeracy is needed to think logically, systematically, and analytically; it encourages the child's ability to process information and solve problems; and it helps the child to make the best decisions with clear considerations.

What is included in the scope of numeracy?

Numeracy includes all efforts to recognize and understand the role of mathematics and logic in life, and to have the attitude and capacity to use mathematical thinking knowledge and skills for clear and correct purposes. 

Numeracy includes all efforts to recognize and understand the role of mathematics and logic in life, and to have the attitude and capacity to use mathematical thinking knowledge and skills for clear and correct purposes.

How to measure numeracy skills?

Numeracy skills can be measured by observing whether a child can develop knowledge, skills, and abilities in using mathematics in various life situations, which includes the ability to think logically, systematically, and analytically, as well as solving problems.

Why is critical thinking necessary?

God created humans with the ability to think, developed to know and serve Him. God certainly desires that we can think critically about God Himself, fellow humans, and the world He created. In this fallen world, students need to be equipped with the ability to think sharply about what is right and wrong. Based on the truth of the Scriptures, students can hold on to clear, strong, and true principles, enabling them to critically filter what the world offers them. Moreover, they can think rightly for the glory of God.

What is included in critical thinking?

All efforts to make judgments about an idea, work, or action based on reasoning that considers various options, makes comparisons, and analyzes them based on specific criteria, and then draws conclusions and makes decisions.

Through critical thinking, students can test and question their own and others' thoughts, the information they receive, whether through observation, experience, or various forms of communication. Only after that can they build strong arguments

Why is creative thinking education necessary?

Humans are the image of God, inheriting God's creative nature as the Creator. After the fall into sin, human creativity was not lost, although its direction has now deviated and is focused on self-gratification. Therefore, students need to be taught what creativity is, its source, its purpose, and how to use it to serve God and others. With the right principles, their creativity and imagination will grow in the right direction, which is to serve God, others, and the environment.

What is creative thinking?

Creative thinking involves discovering new ideas and concepts that have value and bringing them into reality. Ideas, as raw material for creative thinking, rely on experience, learning, and pre-existing concepts, as well as an individual's cultural heritage. Essentially, creative thinking cannot be separated from the principle of collaboration.

Why critical and creative thinking?

Critical and creative thinking are two abilities that, although different, cannot be separated from one another. Creativity requires the ability to critique. Conversely, criticism without creativity will not provide solutions to what is being criticized.​

Why is communication education necessary?

The Triune God is a God who relates and communicates, not only within the fellowship of the Trinity but also with humanity. As the image of God, humans are social beings who need good and proper communication skills to live together. Therefore, communication becomes a bridge for socializing, learning, and becoming a part of influencing society. Students need the right principles, both regarding the method of communication and the correct content, especially so that communication expresses God's love and truth.

What is communication skill?

Communication skills are a set of abilities used to convey and exchange information, experiences, and ideas clearly, logically, systematically, and aesthetically. These skills are also useful for exploring and interacting with the surrounding world, including the digital world. With communication education, it is hoped that students will become members of society who understand and respect others, as well as know how to express their opinions and feelings according to context and position.

Why is self-identity education necessary?

Human beings are individuals who need to know who they are. First, humans need to know God, and then know themselves. These two forms of knowledge are interconnected, though distinct. Without knowing God and themselves, students will not arrive at the right direction regarding the purpose of their lives. Therefore, understanding self-identity as Indonesian Christians, born from a particular ethnicity or heritage, becomes essential.

What is included in self-identity education?

There are three aspects included in self-identity education: relationships and cultural context; values held and personal choices; and strengths and weaknesses of oneself.

1. Relationships and Cultural Context

Students understand that their identity is inseparable from their relationships with others and cultural context. The cultural context refers to identifying oneself based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, language, age, place of origin/residence, religion, and so on.

2. Values Held and Personal Choices

Students are able to define what they value and what principles they consider important. They understand that what they value influences the decisions they make. Life experiences in all their contexts also influence their choices. In this regard, students need to recognize what is most precious in this world, which is Jesus Christ, so that their judgments are based on truth. This way, they can choose to build a life story that aligns with God's will.

3. Strengths and Personal Abilities

Students also need to recognize their strengths and weaknesses as part of the gifts God has given them for a specific purpose that must be accountable. Students understand that they are unique, but at the same time, they are part of a larger community, the people of God. It is expected that students will be able to explain how they can use their strengths and even weaknesses to complement one another, both in the family, school, and the community of God's people, as well as in society.

Why is Christian ethics education necessary?

As God's image bearers, humans are moral beings who adhere to certain values. Therefore, we act according to what we believe. However, not many people understand the purpose and reason for living morally beyond habits and common norms. Moreover, moral standards often become ambiguous and even shift without a clear benchmark 

To build a clear understanding of what is right and wrong, students need to comprehend true moral standards through Christian ethics.

What is Christian ethics?

Christian ethics is a way of life grounded in values based on the standards of Scripture, particularly through the perspective of Reformed teachings. Its goal is not to produce legalistic individuals, but rather those who seek to please God, love others, and fulfill God's greatest commandment.