Fostering Tolerance in Teachers’ Teaching Strategies through the Use of Materials on Indonesia’s Cultural Diversity in Primary Schools

Abstract

Indonesia’s cultural diversity can create challenges among students, making it important to foster tolerance from primary school. Pancasila education plays a key role in developing this attitude. This article describes teachers’ strategies for instilling tolerance through classroom learning, along with the challenges and solutions encountered in the process. This study employs a qualitative approach using the case study method. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. The findings indicate that teachers’ efforts to instil an attitude of tolerance involve establishing routine practices of tolerance in all activities, serving as role models through spontaneous activities, and integrating tolerance into learning activities. Furthermore, the challenges include the diverse nature of students’ characters, stemming from outside the school environment; limited time allocated for Pancasila education; and students who are difficult to guide due to a lack of understanding of the importance of tolerance, as well as limitations in facilities and infrastructure. Additionally, teachers overcome these challenges by adopting a more patient approach and providing repeated guidance. Thus, teachers play a vital role in instilling an attitude of tolerance in students through Pancasila education, particularly in the module on ‘The Cultural Diversity of My Indonesia’.