UMS Takes a Step Forward in Education with Muhammadiyah International Labschool

Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) has once again demonstrated its ambition to advance education in Indonesia by inaugurating the Muhammadiyah International Elementary School (SDMI) Labschool building, part of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) UMS, in Pucangan, Kartasura, on Friday (14/3/2025).

UMS Rector Prof. Sofyan Anif, M.Si. emphasized that the establishment of SDMI Labschool aims to reinforce elementary education with a strong focus on science and technology. UMS’ Elementary School Teacher Education lecturers will be directly involved in teaching at this school, integrating theoretical knowledge with hands-on teaching practice as part of the FKIP UMS laboratory school concept.

“We built this school to strengthen the science and technology aspect. We deliberately inaugurated it during Ramadan, hoping for its blessings as well,” said Prof. Anif.

Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Prof. Abdul Mu'ti, M.Ed. while giving a speech. (UMS Public Relations/Luqman Hakim)

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Prof. Abdul Mu’ti, M.Ed., also expressed his appreciation for this initiative. He recognized the construction of SDMI Labschool as a significant contribution by UMS to national education, especially given that it was developed without government funding.

After delivering his appreciation, Mu’ti highlighted various challenges in Indonesia’s education system, including the phenomenon of schooling without learning, where many students attend school formally but struggle to grasp the essence of learning.

Good infrastructure, he continued, must be accompanied by improvements in teaching quality to have a real impact. Without effective teaching and the right approach, schools will only produce graduates with diplomas but without adequate skills.

The Muhammadiyah International Elementary School Labschool FKIP UMS building. (UMS Public Relations/Luqman Hakim)

Another issue highlighted by the Mendikdasmen was the growing crisis in literacy and numeracy. Many students can read words fluently but fail to grasp their meaning. Mathematics faces a similar fate, remaining a daunting subject for many learners. In reality, numerical understanding is an essential life skill, including in religious aspects.

In a separate interview, Dean of FKIP UMS, Prof. Dr. Sutama, M.Pd., explained that the SDMI Labschool building stands on a 1,400-square-meter plot with five floors. The building functions as a laboratory school under FKIP UMS.

“Essentially, we named this school Muhammadiyah International Elementary School, and it serves as a lab school,” Sutama stated on Friday (14/3/2025), in the afternoon before the building inauguration ceremony.

Sutama also mentioned that the construction process took a considerable amount of time. Initially, the project was designed independently, but due to financial constraints, UMS took over the funding until completion.

“The process took more than a year, with several pauses in construction,” he added.

Regarding the educational concept, Sutama noted that SDMI Labschool has several key advantages that have been carefully planned.

“We have carefully thought about our strengths, from religious education, strengthening mathematics, English and Arabic language programs, to extracurricular activities like swimming, which set us apart from other schools,” he explained.

Writer: Genis Dwi Gustati

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid

Editor: Maysali Sudarwati