Kanisius School Kaliwinong:
Semarang, August 1, 2026 — Education has long been one of Ignatius’ ways of spreading the Gospel and serving humanity. However, what can we do when the majority of students in our Catholic school are Muslim? Can the mission of the Gospel still be carried out?
This was the question that SD Kanisius Kaliwinong, a Catholic school in the rural heartland of Central Java, continues to answer. Not through conversion, but through accompaniment. This question became even more relevant during the recent visitation of the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Arturo Sosa, S.J., to this unique institution.
SD Kanisius Kaliwinong is not a new institution. Established in 1930, it is nearly a century old and stands as the first school in the Kaliwinong area, Bandungan District, Semarang Regency. Now under the auspices of the Yayasan Kanisius (owned by the Archdiocese of Semarang) and entrusted to the Indonesian Province of the Society of Jesus, the school holds a unique position in the community.
Despite being a Catholic school, 72% of its students are Muslim. The school serves a predominantly rural community where most parents work as vegetable and flower farmers or farm laborers, representing a lower-middle-class socioeconomic background. In an environment with three public elementary schools (free of charge) and four Islamic Madrasahs, the existence of a private Catholic school requires a clear and compelling reason for families to choose it.
The school has navigated many challenges in its long history. One of the most significant has been tuition fees. As a private school, SD Kanisius Kaliwinong depends on tuition payments to sustain its operations. For around 20 years, the Jakarta-based Mitra Inigo foundation provided full financial support for 170 students from kindergarten to elementary level, along with two vehicles for free transportation. This partnership concluded in 2024, but the spirit of providence continues. Currently, SPM Realino (One of the social ministries of the Indonesian Jesuits, with its base in Yogyakarta) supports six students, and a semi-indoor building was constructed with Mitra Inigo’s assistance. These collaborations are a testament to the network of solidarity that sustains the school’s mission.
The school principal explains that parents choose SD Kanisius Kaliwinong for a variety of reasons. It is a school that actively practices cura personalis, personal care for each student. It offers a safe and child-friendly environment, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding. The teachers are deeply embedded in the community, attending local events like funerals and weddings, which builds a profound sense of trust. “Even the prayer is divided between Catholics and Muslims,” says the principal. At 12 noon, Catholic students pray the Angelus and read scripture, while Muslim students are given the freedom and space to perform their prayers. This is done to avoid any perception of “Christianizing” students, respecting their faith while providing a holistic education.
This commitment to a well-rounded education is also evident in its academic achievements. SD Kanisius Kaliwinong has been recognized for its academic performance, ranking 3rd out of 25 elementary schools in the Bandungan sub-district in the Academic Ability Test (TKA), a key indicator used by the government to measure educational success. Extracurricular activities like Drumband, Karawitan (traditional Javanese music), Wushu, and traditional dance are also a source of pride and achievement, showcasing the school’s connection to its Javanese roots.
The school is also committed to implementing the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs) in creative ways. During the New Student Orientation, activities included planting trees and releasing fish fry into the river, instilling in students a sense of care for the environment.
During the visit of Fr. Sosa, the school prepared by meticulously cleaning and tidying the premises and creating a video to visually present its story. The students also prepared a simple yet captivating cultural performance involving the local community. For the school community, Fr. Sosa’s presence was a moment of great affirmation, a recognition of their work in providing excellent, compassionate education to a community that is mostly not Catholic, embodying the Jesuit spirit of “finding God in all things” and serving others with love.
As the school’s story shows, the mission of spreading the Gospel is not always about words. Sometimes, it is about presence. It is about creating a space where faith is respected, and every child, regardless of their background, is given the opportunity to grow and flourish. This is the true work of salvation that Ignatius envisioned, a salvation that accompanies the whole person, wherever they are on their journey.
