Human Development, Academic Achievement, and the Limits of Material Progress: An Empirical and Theological Study from Central Indonesia

Wellem Sairwona; Melkias Antonius Manggoa; Victoria Henderina Bathun; Wilson Rajagukguk

doi:10.55927/fjas.v4i12.528

Authors

Wellem Sairwona Universitas Kristen Indonesia
Melkias Antonius Manggoa Universitas Kristen Artha Wacana
Victoria Henderina Bathun Universitas Kristen Indonesia
Wilson Rajagukguk Universitas Kristen Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/fjas.v4i12.528

Keywords:

Human Development Index (HDI), Academic Achievement, Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), Education Policy and Development, Holistic Education

Abstract

This study examines how macro-level components of the Human Development Index (HDI): education, health, and economic factors, relate to junior high school students’ academic achievement in Central Indonesia. A quantitative explanatory design was applied using district-level secondary data analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling with SmartPLS 4. The model assessed the effects of transportation and telecommunication infrastructure, household access to health facilities, household expenditure, and net participation rate on students’ average National Examination (NEM) scores. The results show weak and statistically non-significant relationships (β = 0.011–0.243; R² = 0.141), indicating that macro-development indicators alone do not lead directly to higher learning outcomes. This article contributes by integrating empirical analysis with Christian educational reflection, emphasizing education as holistic human development grounded in Imago Dei and oriented toward shalom.

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