PERFECT EDUCATION FAIRY

Integrating Multicultural Education into Primary School Curricula in Southeast Asia: A Comparative Analysis of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines

Chakrabhand Chakrabhand — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most culturally diverse regions, encompassing multiple ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. This diversity underscores the importance of embedding multicultural values in education to foster social cohesion and tolerance from an early age. This study employs a qualitative literature review to analyze how multicultural education is integrated into primary school curricula in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Findings indicate that while each nation has developed unique approaches, commonalities exist in the inclusion of multicultural principles within citizenship, language, and social studies subjects. Indonesia emphasizes Pancasila values, Malaysia promotes ethnic harmony through civic and moral education, Thailand stresses social stability and nationalism, and the Philippines prioritizes indigenous rights through the Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) program. Challenges include political differences, cultural majoritarianism, and limited acceptance of diversity issues. However, best practices—such as the Pancasila Student Profile in Indonesia and the IPEd program in the Philippines—serve as exemplary models for fostering inclusive and tolerant learning environments. The study concludes that developing regionally integrated multicultural education frameworks could enhance intercultural competence and strengthen ASEAN identity among young learners.

The Impact of the ASEAN Curriculum Framework on Regional Educational Integration: Opportunities, Challenges, and Implications

Siti Balqis — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The integration of Southeast Asia through ASEAN extends beyond politics and economics into education. A central instrument in this process is the ASEAN Curriculum Framework (ACF), introduced in 2012 to harmonize curricula across member states. This article examines the impact of the ACF on regional educational integration, focusing on policy dimensions, curriculum practices, and academic mobility. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed through a literature review of ASEAN official documents, UNESCO reports, and academic publications from 2012 to 2024. Findings indicate that the ACF contributes to curriculum harmonization, enhances 21st-century competencies, and strengthens ASEAN identity. Furthermore, the framework supports academic mobility via the ASEAN University Network (AUN) and the ASEAN Credit Transfer System (ACTS). Nevertheless, significant challenges persist, including disparities in educational quality, financial constraints, and inconsistencies in evaluation systems. The study concludes that the ACF holds considerable potential for advancing regional educational integration, but its success depends on strong political commitment, financial support, and readiness of national education infrastructures.

Marketing Mix and Service Choice in Photography MSMEs: The Mediating Role of Branding and the Moderating Role of Price

Putri Nurcahyati, Sugeng Lubar Prastowo, Anna Sofia Atichasari — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study examines how elements of the marketing mix influence consumer decisions in photography services, with particular attention to the mediating role of branding and the moderating role of price. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 230 users of Fannani Photo services, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a structured Likert-scale questionnaire and analyzed with structural equation modeling to assess direct, mediating, and moderating effects. The findings reveal that product quality, branding, and price significantly shape service decisions, while visual promotion and service quality do not exert direct effects but influence branding, which in turn mediates the relationship between product quality and consumer choice. Moreover, price strengthens the effects of product quality and visual promotion, though not service quality, on decision-making. The study contributes theoretically by integrating branding and price into the marketing mix framework, providing clarity to inconsistent findings in prior research, and offers practical insights for creative MSMEs to enhance product quality, build consistent branding strategies, and leverage price as a competitive advantage in the digital marketplace.

International Legal Cooperation in Counter-Terrorism Efforts in Southeast Asia: Challenges and Prospects

Rebecca Sarocha — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Terrorism remains one of the most pressing threats to security and stability in Southeast Asia, given its transnational character that undermines both national sovereignty and regional peace. This study examines the framework of international legal cooperation in combating terrorism within the ASEAN region, focusing on the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism (ACCT) of 2007, relevant United Nations conventions, and bilateral as well as multilateral initiatives. Employing a juridical-normative method with a descriptive-analytical approach, the study draws on primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials to assess the effectiveness and limitations of existing mechanisms. Findings indicate that while ASEAN member states have demonstrated commitment through ratifications and cooperative arrangements, significant challenges persist. These include divergences in national legal systems, sovereignty concerns hindering extradition, limited law enforcement capacity, and the increasing threat of digital radicalization. Despite these obstacles, ASEAN’s collaborative framework serves as a foundation for ongoing dialogue and practical action, highlighting the need for greater harmonization of legislation, enhanced intelligence sharing, and stronger regional as well as global partnerships. The study concludes that adaptive and integrated strategies are essential to strengthen counter-terrorism measures and safeguard long-term regional security.

Integrating Local Cultural Values in Character Education: An Integrative Literature Review within the Indonesian Educational Context

Ilha Rahmawati — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study explores the integration of local cultural values into character education through an integrative literature review approach. Grounded in recent frameworks for educational and cultural studies, this research synthesizes findings from academic sources published between 2015 and 2024 to examine how indigenous wisdom strengthens moral and civic development in students. The analysis identifies three dominant models—Transmission, Participatory, and Transformative—each contributing distinctively to embedding cultural values in learning practices. The Transformative Model emerges as the most effective, fostering reflective, empathetic, and socially aware learners. Findings also highlight the crucial roles of educators, communities, and policymakers in ensuring that local wisdom becomes an intrinsic part of the educational process. Despite its potential, implementation challenges persist, including limited teacher competencies, insufficient cultural resources, and the erosion of traditional values amid globalization. The study recommends targeted teacher training, curriculum reform, and stronger collaboration with cultural stakeholders. By positioning local culture as the foundation of character education, Indonesia can cultivate globally competitive yet culturally grounded citizens who embody moral integrity and national identity. This integration aligns with the Merdeka Belajar initiative and contributes to the preservation of Indonesia’s diverse cultural heritage in the modern educational landscape.