Abstract
As a country with diverse local wisdom, education in Indonesia certainly faces its own unique challenges, particularly in efforts to integrate the value of diversity into an educational curriculum that frequently undergoes changes over time in line with massive technological advancements. This article aims to present a central idea related to efforts to reconnect educational activities with local communities not merely as monthly practical activities, but also as an integral part of Indonesia’s educational curriculum. Through a literature review drawing on the ideas of Boaventura de Sousa Santos to address the research question of why local knowledge is important in education, as well as the ideas of James A. Banks to address the question of how local knowledge is incorporated into the world of education, this study also employs a conceptual approach to emphasize that multicultural education is not merely a concept but an essential component that deserves thorough elaboration so that the values of diversity can become a source of richness capable of fostering individuals with a tolerant attitude toward diversity. The findings of this study indicate that local knowledge is not something distant from the educational environment; rather, it can serve as an effective learning tool because it exists not only as a non-formal institution but also as a contextual learning resource that is not merely confined to theoretical concepts but is manifested in active practice. Another point worth noting is that multicultural awareness, tolerance, and appreciation for diversity can be found in the integration of local knowledge. Therefore, multicultural education should not merely be confined to theoretical concepts but should be actualized through contextual learning.