Insights from the World’s Best Education Systems for Indonesia

Teachers are the cornerstone of every education system. In some countries, they are respected as professionals with strong government support, while in others, they face challenges such as limited resources and low salaries. Indonesia is working to improve teacher development programs, but there is still much to learn from the world’s best practices.

As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Some countries have proven this by designing education policies that empower both teachers and students.

Finland, for example, places full trust in its teachers, allowing them to design lessons and tailor education to students’ needs. All teachers in Finland must hold a master’s degree and undergo continuous training, ensuring they are not only educators but also innovators.

“Teaching in Finland is a respected profession. We are given the freedom to innovate and adapt lessons to our students’ needs,” said a Finnish high school teacher.

Similarly, Singapore implements a structured approach to ensure high-quality educators. Teachers undergo rigorous training at the National Institute of Education (NIE) and follow a clear career path with performance-based promotions. The government also offers mentorship programs where experienced teachers guide newcomers.

“Expectations are high, but the structured support ensures that we continue to grow professionally,” said a teacher from Singapore.

In Japan, excellence in education is achieved through high standards and teamwork. Teachers undergo intensive training and participate in collaborative discussions to enhance their teaching methods.

“Teaching is a team effort. We learn from each other and constantly refine our methods,” said a Japanese middle school teacher. This culture of collaboration ensures that teachers continually develop their skills, contributing to Japan’s consistently high educational outcomes.

Compared to these top countries with education systems, Indonesia still lags behind. Many challenges need to be solved, including low economic welfare, heavy administrative burdens, and limited career advancement opportunities.

“I never planned to become a teacher, but it was the only available job,” said Pak Yayat, a vocational school teacher in Bandung. His journey into teaching was driven by financial necessity rather than passion, and he was shocked by the low salary.

“I thought the starting salary would be similar to a factory worker’s. But it turned out to be much lower. In the early 2000s, I was even paid just 75,000 rupiah a month. To earn more, you really need a sense of dedication in this profession.”

Beyond financial difficulties, Indonesian teachers struggle with managing students with diverse learning paces and backgrounds, resulting in a wide range of behaviors.

“Teaching children today is different from the past. It is much harder to manage students now”, added Pak Yayat.

By doing so, he emphasizes the importance of improving the teacher’s self; thus, more support is needed to keep up with modern society and align with the school and parents’ expectations, too.

Comparing these global best practices, it is clear that teacher autonomy, structured training, career progression, collaboration, and public investment are key elements of a successful education system. Finland prioritizes teacher freedom in the classroom, while Singapore ensures teachers receive structured mentorship and career guidance. Japan emphasizes collaboration among teachers to enhance education quality.

Despite the challenges, change is possible. By adopting insights from other countries and implementing better practices, policies, and advocacies, Indonesia can create a learning environment where teachers can lead to better student outcomes and the nation’s future.

We invite you to support our efforts to improve teacher quality in Indonesia. Every small step can have a significant impact on the country’s education.

Please find out more about how you can help the education system here at our program’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otGMPdxbTKo

Or contact us via email: info@sociopreneur.id for more information.