The Role of Education and Public Awareness in Supporting National Development in Indonesia

Abstract

Indonesia’s national education, as mandated in the 1945 Constitution, aims to “educate the life of the nation” while internalizing the values of faith, devotion, and noble character (Article 31, Paragraph 3). Education and national development have a reciprocal relationship: education produces high-quality human resources as the foundation of development, while development provides policies and facilities that support educational quality. However, public awareness of education as a long-term investment remains low due to short-term financial orientation, limited understanding of the intrinsic value of education, and unequal distribution of educational infrastructure. The level of education strongly influences social welfare by expanding employment opportunities, increasing social mobility, and promoting economic growth. Conversely, low-quality human resources result in low economic productivity, high unemployment, inequality, and weak global competitiveness. Through a comprehensive literature-based study, this article analyzes the interconnection between education, public awareness, and national development, while offering strategic policy recommendations to strengthen Indonesia’s educational framework.