President Joko Widodo has called on teachers to teach students how to implement the values of nationality and ethics in daily life and in social media interaction, Indonesia's ANTARA news agency reports.

"I call (on teachers) to teach values of the nation's character, ethics, honesty, discipline, optimism and hard work to our pupils," the President said at the commemoration of National Teacher's Day and the 71st anniversary of Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI) at Sentul International Convention Center, West Java, Sunday.

The President, who is popularly called Jokowi, said sharing knowledge on ethics and social values is an important part in education, in addition to other subjects, to improve the quality of Indonesian human resources.

Amidst the increasing tight competition with other countries toward 2030-2040, Indonesia would need to prepare its youth quality.

"We will get demographic bonus, this productive younger generation will become our strength and asset to compete with other countries," he stated.

Jokowi has also called on teachers to develop students' nationality characters especially in using social media in response to the current massive spreading of hate speech.

The head of state said, such negative expression is inappropriate to the nation's social values.

"This is teachers' task to tell our students, because those are not our nationality values. Be careful, because foreign powers could infiltrate by such undermining ways, divisive, be careful," the President warned.

Jokowi has appreciated teachers' dedication, saying that they could create thousands of great people.

"I believe that one great person can create some great works. But one great teacher, can create thousands of great persons. Happy anniversary Indonesian teachers," Jokowi said.

On the occasion, the President conferred Satyalencana awards to 52 teachers. --BERNAMA