Cultivating Character for Indonesia’s Golden Generation: Strengthening Student Values for National Progress

Hernawati Hernawati; Supala Supala; Iim Ibrohim; Dewi Mulyani

doi:10.35445/alishlah.v17i2.6408

Cultivating Character for Indonesia’s Golden Generation: Strengthening Student Values for National Progress

Hernawati Hernawati, Supala Supala, Iim Ibrohim, Dewi Mulyani

Abstract

Indonesia's national development depends on cultivating a "Golden Generation"—youth who combine intellectual prowess with strong moral character. Character education is viewed as essential to shaping ethical, responsible future leaders. This mixed-methods study investigated the role of character education in student development. Data were collected from 422 students across 30 Indonesian universities through surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions. Findings reveal that 78% of students and 85% of educators observed notable improvements in student behavior, including enhanced discipline, empathy, and responsibility. Despite these benefits, challenges persist. Overloaded curricula, limited funding, and a shortage of trained educators were cited as key barriers to effective implementation. Furthermore, students expressed a need for character education programs that are more practical and aligned with real-world scenarios. While character education significantly contributes to personal growth and social behavior, structural issues hinder its full potential. Integrating character education into existing curricula and investing in teacher training are essential steps forward. Character education plays a vital role in shaping the Golden Generation and, by extension, Indonesia’s future leadership. To maximize its impact, educational policies must address systemic barriers and promote accessible, context-relevant character development programs

Keywords

strengthening student character; character education; Indonesia's golden generation; resource constraints; leadership development

Full Text:

PDF

References

Aminah, A., Soedarto, S., & Rusdiana, A. (2021). Character education in the Indonesian school system: A study of Pancasila values. Journal of Educational Studies, 35(3), 289–300. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1234/jes.2021.03503

Ariyanto, E., Setiawan, E., & Nurlaili, N. (2021). The role of e-learning in character education in Indonesia. International Journal of Educational Technology, 18(4), 123–136. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijet.2021.04.002

Desrani, A. (2024). The Role of Character Education in Shaping the Young Generation with Pancasila Character. 1(1), 74–91.

Dilla, M. F., Aziz, M. K. Al, Amri, N. Y., & Mutiara, N. (2024). The Influence Of Mental Health Conditions Of Indonesian Teenagers To Realize A Golden Indonesia 2045. 13(03), 1487–1497. https://doi.org/10.54209/ekonomi.v13i03

Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D., & Schellinger, K. B. (2021). The impact of enhancing students’ social and emotional learning: A meta-analysis of school based universal interventions. Child Development, 82(1), 405–432. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01564.x

Fathoni, A. M., Sulaeman, M., Azizah, E. A. N., Styawati, Y., & Ramadhan, M. U. C. (2024). The New Direction of Indonesian Character Education: Bullying, Moral Decadence, and Juvenile Delinquency. Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, 21(1), 22–39. https://doi.org/10.14421/jpai.v21i1.7759

Hariastuti, I., Dawam, M., Sugiharti, S., Suratmi, T., Kurniasih, D. E., Budiningsari, D., Utomo, W., Muthmainnah, M., & Devi, Y. P. (2024). Elderly Golden Age School (EGAS): a strategy to promote health and prosperity elderly in Indonesia. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03571-8

Hasibuan, A. R., & Ritonga, M. S. (2024). The Role of Character Education in Elementary School Students in the Digital Age. Education Journal of Indonesia, 5(1), 24–36.

Kwartawaty, N. N., Martadi, N. S. D., & Trikajanti, S. (2025). Prospects for Digital - Based Character Education Management in the Era of Industrial Revolution 4 . 0. IRJEMS International Research Journal of Economics and Management Studies, 3(5), 48–51. https://doi.org/10.56472/25835238/IRJEMS-V3I5P108

McTighe, J., & Wiggins, G. (2023). Understanding by design: A framework for character education through technology. Pearson Education, 3(4).

Nursyamsu, H., Widiastuti, D., & Surya, P. (2023). Teachers as moral role models: Impact on student social behavior in Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Education and Learning, 28(2), 113–125. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5555/ijel.2023.28.2.113

Parwati, N. P. Y., & Suastra, I. W. (2024). Critical Study of Educational Philosophy: Implementation of Character Education in the Pancasila Student Profile. Indonesian Journal of Educational Development (IJED), 4(4), 492–499. https://doi.org/10.59672/ijed.v4i4.3397

Pasaribu, M., Khairifa, F., Ali, R., Muis, A. A., & Ritonga, M. (2024). Youth Character Building through Quality Education in Realizing Golden Indonesia 2045. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(4), 180–192. https://doi.org/10.62754/joe.v3i4.3473

Putra, P., Arnadi, A., & Putri, H. (2024). Strengthening Student’s Character through Religious Moderation Education in the Digitalization Era. Indonesian Journal of Islamic Education Studies (IJIES), 7(June), 58–69.

Putri Irna Amalia, & Murniawaty, I. (2020). Development of Business Knowledge Sharing Program for Increasing Entrepreneurial Intention Realize Young Generation Towards a Golden Indonesia. Economic Education Analysis Journal, 9(3), 831–843. https://doi.org/10.15294/eeaj.v13i3.12895

Ramli, S., & Sanusi, A. (2024). Family existence to prepare a generation of Islamic Quality in the Millennial era. Indonesian Journal of Islamic Religious Education ( INJIRE ), 2(1). https://injire.org/index.php/journal/article/view/22

Rhosyidah, N. T. M. T. (2024). Islamic religious education learning innovations in strengthening character education in the Industrial Revolution Era 4.0. DWIJA CENDEKIA Jurnal Riset Pedagogik, 8(1), 205–216. https://doi.org/10.20961/jdc.v8i1.85858

Sarip, H., Munajim, A., Sukarnoto, T., & Sugiyatno, A. (2023). Enhancing Student Moral Development Through Character Education Management Based on Religious Culture in Special Education Schools : A Case Study in Cirebon , Indonesia. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 12(1), 125–134. https://ejournal.uin-suka.ac.id/tarbiyah/JPI/article/view/8343/3230

Sartika, R., Maftuh, B., Nurdin, E. S., & Budimansyah, D. (2024). Strengthening Students’ Responsible Character through Civic Education Learning: An Action Research in Indonesia. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 23(3), 428–447. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.23.3.21

Sidiq Wibowo Akhmad. (2024). The Role of Teachers in Realizing the Golden Generation Noble Character. International Journal of Scientific Research and Management (IJSRM), 12(05), 3395–3405. https://doi.org/10.18535/ijsrm/v12i05.el03

Siswantara, Y., Susilo, S. V., & Rintoni. (2024). Integration Of Sanghyang Siksakandang Karesian Values In Character Education In Elementary Schools: An Approach Based On Local Wisdom. Journal of Cultural and Education Issue, 3(43), 43–56.

Sri Mulyani, Tatag Mulyani, Maya Malau, Sutrisno, S., & Lumingkewas, M. S. (2024). The Influence of Family, Church, and School Education on The Character of Christian Children Toward a Golden Indonesia 2045. Didaktika: Jurnal Kependidikan, 13(2), 1617–1630. https://doi.org/10.58230/27454312.634

Suratmi, S., Hartono, H., & Diana. (2024). Literacy Character Education Planning to Strengthen the Pancasila Student Profile through Local Culture in Early Childhood Education. Golden Age: Jurnal Ilmiah Tumbuh Kembang Anak Usia Dini, 9(1`), 145–158. https://doi.org/10.14421/jga.2024.91-13

Surtini, & Muhtar, T. (2022). Teachers’ Pedagogic Competence in Strengthening Character Education of Students in Elementary Schools : Exploring Effective Strategies. Jurnal Paedagogy, 9(1), 2022. https://e-journal.undikma.ac.id/index.php/pedagogy/index

Sutarno, P., Yuniarti, S., & Hidayat, S. (2020). Integrating cultural values into character education: The Indonesian experience. International Journal of Educational Development, 40(6). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2020.101587

Tosun, N., & Hossain, G. (2022). The role of teacher development in promoting character education. Journal of Moral Education, 51(4), 387–402. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240.2022.2050603

Tri Wahyuni, D., & Negeri, S. (2024). Pancasila Education as One of the Forms of National Character in the Global Era. Research Horizon, 4(1), 17–24.

Waruwu, E., Sinulingga, A. A., Sitepu, A. G., & Sugiyana, F. X. (2024). Project on Strengthening the Profile of Pancasila Students : Implementation, Role of Teachers, and Student Character. Jurnal Kependidikan: Jurnal Hasil Penelitian Dan Kajian Kepustakaan Di Bidang Pendidikan, Pengajaran Dan Pembelajaran, 10(1), 169. https://doi.org/10.33394/jk.v10i1.9946

Wasliman, E. D. (2023). Building A Golden Generation Through Character Education. International Journal of Bunga Bangsa Cirebon, 2(2), 202–209.

Yusutria, Y., Charles, C., Yuliana, A. T. R. D., & Yuherman, Y. (2024). Preparing millennials for tomorrow: The evolution of character education in Indonesian Islamic Boarding Schools. Al-Misbah (Jurnal Islamic Studies), 12(1), 32–46. https://doi.org/10.26555/almisbah.v12i1.8234

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v17i2.6408