This paper discusses the issue of character education in
Indonesia, which has not met expectations. In detail, this paper
analyzes how schools' status as subordinate to the state burdens them
with specific ideologies that influence how they undertake their
educational mission. The contestation of values within schools'
curricula deleteriously affects students' character development. Data
were obtained through field observations at three schools, as well as
interviews with principals, teachers, and students to obtain information
regarding the implementation and perception of character education.
This study finds that schools have become arenas for the contestation of values, and this contestation of values results in conflict as students
develop their character. It recommends that character education
accommodate students' perspectives by recognizing their socio-cultural
diversity; it should also avoid the undue influence of outside interests.
Even though schools are administratively extensions of the state, they
should not become propaganda tools that simply promote state
interests