Social Harmony Model within Differences through Educational System

Abstract

This paper aims to reveal the efforts by one elementary school in Garut, SD Bestari utami, in providing quality education to their students without distinguishing their socio-cultural background. Through the principle of equality and togetherness, SD Bestari Utami seeks to harmonize the differences among the students into a unity of Indonesia. The method used in this research is qualitative with phenomenology approach. Data collection is done by in-depth interviews, literature review and on-site observation. The result of the research shows that establishment of Bestari Utami Elementary School as a school that provides educational equity for Sundanese and Chinese children is motivated by the experience of founder and principal Christanti Gomulia who feel how beautiful life is in unity together without discriminating social-culture background. Mutual respect in socio-cultural differences enriched Christanti's soul and mind and she can freely develop her personality in accordance with the cultural background surrounds her. Through the curriculum she designed, SD Bestari Utami directed each of their students to always appreciate the differences and not forget the cultural roots from which they originated, it's Sundanese culture.