While the world has been so advanced, these problems seem to have cancelled all the progress in human civilization. The reason is that the secular world actually cannot provide the right answers to human problems. Only the Word of God can provide thorough and lasting answers once and for all. Translating this into our present-day reality, the application is a holistic kind of education through the pursuit of True Knowledge, Faith in God, and Godly Character.

A holistic education is based on three pillars—family, school, and religious institutions. Families are the primary foundation of a successful education, and education starts from home. If families fail, schools cannot succeed, because schools are the contractors of the families. Education is first of all the responsibility of families; schools only act to help develop all the potentials and values that have been planted in the families.

It is not enough just to accumulate knowledge and skills; one needs to have faith in God because faith is the compass for his life. And good education must lead to people exhibiting Godly characters throughout their lives in order to help others grow in faith.

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DR. (HC) James T. Riady is Chairman of Universitas Pelita Harapan