Basic education for indigenous peoples in Indonesia: Limiting children's cultural alienation and loss of identity

Uus Faizal Firdaussy, Sri Ningsih and Enkin Asrawijaya
National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia

Our study explores challenges and opportunities associated with managing basic education in indigenous communities in Indonesia, using a qualitative descriptive approach with a critical paradigm as an analysis tool. The findings reveal two types of education patterns for indigenous peoples, i.e., education in the community, which is carried out within families or the community without formal schooling, and formal education organised by the government. Indigenous children confront significant challenges in accessing quality education due to economic factors, minimal facilities and infrastructure, and a shortage of teachers. In addition, at times the national education systems do not consider the special needs and characteristics of indigenous peoples. We propose an inclusive education curriculum for indigenous children that focuses on providing quality education and preserving cultural heritage.
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Authors: Uus Faizal Firdaussy is a researcher at the Research Center for Society and Culture, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia. His interests are in applied communication, multiculturalism, and public ethics, with an emphasis on inclusive development and transparency. His current highest qualification is Master in Communication Studies, Universitas Indonesia. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9482-8279 Email: uusf001@brin.go.id Sri Ningsih is a postdoctoral fellow at the National Research and Innovation Agency and a lecturer in the Midwifery Academy of Tahirah Al Baeti Bulukumba, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. She is also a researcher and takes an interest in indigeneous people, education and linguistics. Her highest qualification is a doctoral program in linguistics at Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0905-2395 Email: inci_jica@yahoo.co.id Enkin Asrawijaya is a researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia, particularly the Research Center for Society and Culture. His interests are in indigenous peoples, education, and social movements. His highest qualification is a doctorate in anthropology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9638-5202 Email: enki001@brin.go.id Please cite as: Firdaussy, U. F., Ningsih, S. & Asrawijaya, E. (2024). Basic education for indigenous peoples in Indonesia: Limiting children's cultural alienation and loss of identity. Issues in Educational Research, 34(3), 995-1015. http://www.iier.org.au/iier34/firdaussy.pdf