CONTEXTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ON MULTICULTURALISM VALUES

Abstract

Diversity is a necessity for the Indonesian people. The pluralism of ethnicity, ethnicity, culture, religion, and language has become a national identity which is accommodated in the motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika". However, along with the development of the post-independence Indonesian state to date, the issue of national disintegration has always been a hot topic of discussion among the public. An understanding of the importance of unity, diversity, and tolerance needs to be revitalized again, one of which is through the role of educational institutions. Elementary school is the right level to instill the values ​​of multiculturalism from an early age. They introduce attitudes and behaviors that reflect a sense of unity, diversity, and tolerance so that later when they grow up, they have an open mind and respect differences. The purpose of this study is to find out and provide a comprehensive picture of students' contextual understanding of the values ​​of multiculturalism that have been obtained in schools through a qualitative approach with descriptive analysis methods. The results obtained, elementary school students do not yet fully have a strong understanding of the values ​​of multiculturalism.