Education vs. capitalism<\/p>\n
From Tempo<\/p>\n
The battle between educational idealism and capitalism
\ncontinues, involving such issues as the exchange of a school
\nbuilding in Jakarta, the construction of an agribusiness center
\non the campus of Bogor Institute of Agriculture and the planned
\ntown square near the campus of Brawijaya University, Malang.<\/p>\n
The question is: Does idealism in the world of education have
\nto clash with capitalism? Professing a need to secure a return on
\ncapital invested within the shortest possible time, capitalism
\nhas entered education.<\/p>\n
Consequently, there are instances of school principals
\nobliging students to buy particular textbooks to benefit from
\npublishers' bonuses, and universities opening special enrollment
\nchannels in order to impose high student admission fees.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, various appeals for the pursuit of educational
\nideals have been ignored, though education is the right of all
\ncitizens, with or without access to capital. At present,
\neducation is expected to produce a return on capital for whoever
\nwishes to invest in the field.<\/p>\n
The school of medicine, for instance, charges high entrance
\nfees and yet lots of new students are still interested to enter.
\nThese students, too, expect a return on investment within a
\nshorter time than their peers in the school of agriculture can
\nachieve.<\/p>\n
A very tough struggle is needed to change this paradigm
\nbecause the majority of Indonesians are under the influence of
\ncapitalism. Even the government, with power under its control,
\nappears to be helpless and yields to the capitalist climate,
\nmaking the excuse of fund limitation.<\/p>\n
Trying to make peace with capitalism may be the proper
\napproach before further compromising with it, in view of
\nobjective realities today. The next important thing to consider
\nis what steps should be taken for a postcapitalist society,
\nbecause this situation should not be endless.<\/p>\n
M. FASHIHULLISAN
\nMalang, East Java<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/education-vs-capitalism-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}