The Application of UNESCO Educational Principles from an Islamic Perspective Kaffah during the Colonial Period (Pre-Independence)

Abstract

Education plays a very important role in shaping morality, character, and self-esteem. Through Delors (1996), UNESCO outlines four pillars of modern education: learning to know, learning to do, learning to be, and learning to live together, which support human development. These principles have long been integrated into the Islamic educational tradition through the concept of Kaffah  Islam, which encourages faith, knowledge, and charity. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relevance and integration of UNESCO's educational principles from the perspective of Kaffah  and to analyze their implementation during the colonial era. Through a qualitative approach and literature review, the research findings show philosophical and practical agreement between the two paradigms. Islamic education during the colonial era not only served as a means of teaching religious knowledge but also as a means of fostering moral character, social solidarity, and a sense of responsibility in the face of a discriminatory education system. Thus, the integration of UNESCO and Kaffah  Islam shows that Islamic education had adopted the concept of holistic education before the formation of modern UNESCO. To support civilized independent education, it is important to contextualize these values in order to strengthen national education that balances knowledge, skills, spirituality, and social solidarity.