Why Should Youth Participate in the Progress of Education ?
By: Dr. Hardika
Initiator of the Indonesian Young Teachers and Education Association (HIPPMI)
Education is the main foundation for the progress of a nation. Youth play a very strategic role as agents of change who are able to encourage social transformation through active involvement in the world of education.
Youth participation is not only limited to the role as students, but also extends as movers, facilitators, and even innovators in educational activities in society. Paulo Freire (1970) in _*Pedagogy of the Oppressed*_, emphasized that true education is education that involves the active participation of society critically and reflectively, including the role of youth in it.
This theory emphasizes the importance of building collective awareness and dialogue between generations as the basis for a liberating educational process.
In addition, the theory of Youth Empowerment developed by Jennings et al. (2006) shows that when young people are given the opportunity to engage meaningfully in social activities such as education, they not only develop self-confidence and self-identity, but also grow into individuals with high social responsibility.
In practice, the involvement of young people in various educational programs such as digital literacy, peer tutoring, and character education strengthening campaigns have shown significant positive impacts.
UNICEF research (2021) revealed that the involvement of young people in community-based education can increase interest in learning, reduce dropout rates, and strengthen social ties between generations.
Wahyuni and Prasetyo (2022) also emphasized that young people who are active in community education activities experience increased social empathy, concern for the surrounding environment, and awareness of the importance of collective contribution in improving the intelligence of the nation. Therefore, it is time for all stakeholders, both the government, educational institutions, and the community, to provide the widest possible space and support for young people to play an active role in the world of education.
Education is not only a tool to transfer knowledge, but also a medium of empowerment that shapes the character and future of the nation through the hands of young people who are progressive, creative, and full of enthusiasm
We invite young people who have a spirit of progress in the field of education to fight together in the Association of Young Indonesian Educators and Teachers (HIPPMI).
Surabaya, April 19, 2025
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