Multicultural Education and Religious Moderation
Education: Strategies For Harmony Education in
Schools
Alif Alfi Syahrin
1
, I Wayan Putra Yasa
2
, I Gusti Made Arya Suta Wirawan
3
, Irwan Nur
4
{asyahrin@undiksha.ac.id
1
, putrayasa@undiksha.ac.id
2
, arthasuta@gmail.com
3
,
irwannur@undiksha.ac.id
4
Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha
1234
Abstract. Instilling an understanding of the diversity in society can start with educational
institutions, including formal schools. Students become subjects in the teaching and
learning process; thus understanding the diversity in society in the social environment is
critical. Hence, forming this understanding can produce social practices that lead to
harmony. One way is to implement multicultural education and religious moderation
education in schools. This paper employed the literature study method. This paper aims to
describe the characteristics and implementation of two harmony education strategies,
namely multicultural education and moderate religious education in schools. The research
results indicated differences in characteristics between multicultural education and
religious moderation education based on the definition context. Furthermore, the overall
implementation of these two educational strategies has similarities in integrating various
values through subjects, local wisdom, and various school programs.
Keywords: Multicultural Education, Religious Moderation Education, Educational
Strategy, School
1. Introduction
Education has an essential role in people’s lives in improving knowledge, attitudes, and skills.
Students who receive education at school institutions aim to gain more improvement. The
desired changes in education are intellectual changes experienced by students and attitudes in
understanding the diversity of identities and backgrounds. Educational institutions are no longer
places for transferring knowledge but also for forming attitudes, behavior, character, and youth
leadership [1]. Respect for others and constructive interactions amongst diverse student groups
should be taught in educational institutions [2].
Education is the best medium for building a nation into a great nation in all fields [1]. As a
rich country with diverse identities such as religion, ethnicity, culture, language, and customs,
Indonesia certainly needs educational institutions as a medium for character building, especially
for students. Through education, the government can encourage a sense of nationalism towards
the country [3]. Education in Indonesia should be able to address the challenges of diversity in
ICLSSE 2023, June 01, Singaraja, Indonesia
Copyright © 2023 EAI
DOI 10.4108/eai.1-6-2023.2341378