Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Education Ministry and Youth and Sports Ministry have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in school sports development and student character building across primary and secondary education.The agreement aims to synchronize the roles and responsibilities of both ministries in promoting sports programs in schools, while also fostering discipline, teamwork and other positive values among students.Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti welcomed the partnership and expressed appreciation to Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir and his team for their commitment to strengthening collaboration in the sports sector.“Thank God, we express our gratitude to the Youth and Sports Minister and his team for following up our initial discussions to build synergy in strengthening achievements, particularly in sports,” Mu’ti said in Jakarta on Saturday.He said the memorandum marks an important first step toward deeper strategic cooperation between the two ministries.Through the collaboration, he added, sports development and training programs within educational institutions are expected to become more structured, focused and sustainable.Mu’ti stressed that sports should not be viewed solely as a means of achieving athletic success.According to him, sports also serve as an important platform for shaping students’ character and values.“Through sports, values such as discipline, hard work, sportsmanship and a spirit of togetherness can grow and develop among students,” he said.Speaking at the same event, Thohir welcomed the agreement and highlighted the importance of cooperation between the two ministries.He praised the Education Ministry’s commitment to encouraging students not only to excel academically but also to maintain strong physical and mental well-being.Thohir said the partnership is crucial for ensuring that sports talent development in schools is conducted in a more systematic and measurable manner.He noted that Indonesia’s younger generation possesses significant potential in sports, which should be supported through coordinated policies and sustainable training programs.“We see this cooperation as very important because Indonesian children have extraordinary talent potential,” he said.“With strong synergy, various student sports development programs can be implemented in a more structured way and deliver tangible results,” he added.