Practices of Tolerance Toward Diversity in Early Childhood in Ruteng City, NTT

Ardianta Selasa, Juli 28, 2026
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FORMOSA NEWS

Ruteng Preschools Show Strong Model for Teaching Tolerance From Early Childhood

Religious tolerance can begin long before children enter primary school, according to new research from Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Indonesia. Published in 2026 in the International Journal of Contemporary Sciences (IJCS), the study by Adriani Tamo Ina Talu, Hermina De Sinta Eleng, and Martina Renti Lubienki examined how tolerance is practiced in early childhood education (PAUD) institutions in Ruteng City. The findings indicate that children as young as four years old readily build friendships across religious differences when schools, teachers, parents, and local communities consistently promote inclusive values. The research provides evidence that early childhood education can play an important role in strengthening social harmony in one of the world's most religiously diverse countries.

Why Early Childhood Tolerance Matters

Indonesia has long been recognized for its cultural and religious diversity, yet concerns about intolerance in educational settings have increased in recent years. Previous reports cited in the study describe instances where intolerance has appeared even in some early childhood education environments, highlighting the importance of introducing respect for diversity from the earliest stages of learning.

Ruteng City in Manggarai Regency offers a different picture. Located in East Nusa Tenggara—one of Indonesia's highest-ranked provinces for religious harmony—the region has developed a reputation for peaceful coexistence among religious communities. The researchers investigated whether this broader social environment is reflected inside preschools and kindergartens, where children begin developing lifelong social attitudes.

The study also highlights the influence of Manggarai's local wisdom, particularly the tradition of Lonto Leok, which emphasizes dialogue, equality, mutual respect, and community decision-making. According to the researchers, these cultural values create an environment that naturally supports tolerance among young children.

How the Research Was Conducted

The researchers used a mixed-method approach combining quantitative and qualitative research techniques. They collected information from 275 children aged 4–6 years enrolled in 10 early childhood education institutions across Ruteng City. The participating schools included children from Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim backgrounds who learned and interacted together every day.

To build a comprehensive understanding of children's attitudes, the research team gathered data through:

  • Structured questionnaires
  • Interviews with teachers and school leaders
  • Classroom and playground observations
  • Analysis of school lesson plans and supporting documents

The researchers compared findings from these different sources to ensure consistency and reliability.

Key Findings

The study found that tolerance has become part of everyday behavior in Ruteng's early childhood education settings.

Some of the strongest findings include:

  • 100% of participating children said they played with friends who prayed differently.
  • 100% continued friendships despite religious differences.
  • 100% willingly shared toys with children from other religions.
  • 100% studied together regardless of religious background.
  • 100% shared food with classmates from different religions.
  • 100% listened when teachers discussed diversity and different religions.

Researchers also observed that Catholic and Muslim children naturally played together without separating themselves into religious groups. Teachers encouraged universal human values rather than teaching theological comparisons. During daily routines such as prayer before meals, children were allowed to follow the practices of their own religion while showing respect toward classmates. Lesson plans also integrated themes of friendship, diversity, and national identity into classroom activities.

An interesting finding emerged when researchers examined children's understanding of religious concepts. Although children consistently demonstrated tolerant behavior, many had difficulty explaining abstract ideas about religious diversity. For example, some children struggled to recognize that different religions also teach positive values. The researchers explain that this reflects normal cognitive development rather than prejudice, as preschool-aged children generally understand concrete experiences more easily than abstract concepts.

Why the Findings Matter

The research suggests that tolerance develops first through everyday social experiences rather than formal lessons about religion. Positive interactions—sharing toys, cooperating in class, respecting friends during prayer, and playing together—appear to build inclusive attitudes naturally.

The researchers also identified several factors supporting this success:

  • Strong commitment from teachers and school principals.
  • Active support from parents.
  • Inclusive classroom practices.
  • Equal treatment of children regardless of religion.
  • The influence of Manggarai's community culture, especially the values embedded in Lonto Leok.

These findings offer practical guidance for educators and policymakers seeking to strengthen social cohesion. Rather than focusing primarily on abstract discussions about diversity, early childhood programs may achieve better outcomes through cooperative activities, storytelling, shared experiences, and inclusive classroom routines.

The authors also recommend strengthening teacher training in multicultural education and developing more contextual teaching materials that help children gradually connect everyday experiences with broader concepts of diversity.

Researchers' Perspective

The authors from Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng conclude that the strongest expression of tolerance among young children appears in everyday behavior. Their findings indicate that children readily accept classmates from different religious backgrounds when schools consistently model respect, inclusion, and cooperation. They emphasize that teacher preparation, parental involvement, and supportive local culture work together to create an educational environment where tolerance becomes a natural part of children's daily lives.

Broader Impact

The Ruteng experience demonstrates that early childhood education can become a foundation for long-term social harmony. As countries continue addressing religious diversity, multicultural education, and social inclusion, the findings suggest that practical experiences of cooperation may be more effective than abstract instruction during the preschool years.

The study also positions Ruteng City as an empirical example of how inclusive education, community participation, and local cultural traditions can reinforce one another. Policymakers, teacher education programs, and school administrators may find the Ruteng model valuable when designing programs that promote tolerance from an early age while respecting children's developmental stages.

Author Profiles

  1. Adriani Tamo Ina Talu is a researcher and lecturer in the Early Childhood Education (PAUD) Program at Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng, Indonesia. Her academic work focuses on early childhood education, character development, and tolerance education.
  2. Hermina De Sinta Eleng is affiliated with the Early Childhood Education (PAUD) Program at Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng. Her research interests include early childhood learning, educational development, and inclusive education.
  3. Martina Renti Lubienki is a researcher in the Early Childhood Education (PAUD) Program at Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng. Her expertise includes early childhood education, educational practice, and child development.

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