Experts warn of antisocial behavior in 'Super Class'<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Education experts and psychologists have called on people behind
\nJakarta's Super Class project to anticipate a possible imbalance
\nin personal development among students selected to sit in the
\nprogram.<\/p>\n
They also urged proponents of the program to include other
\nsubjects, including social responsibility and human and religious
\nvalues, in its curriculum.<\/p>\n
"It is common for very brilliant children taking intelligence
\nacceleration programs to experience an imbalance in their
\npsychological development as they do not grow as other normal
\nchildren do mentally, though, their intellectual development
\nexcels," education expert Mochtar Buchori told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
He said that many gifted children put in special programs
\nbecome solitary and feel alienated by their communities.<\/p>\n
In some extreme cases, he added, those students often become
\noffensive as in the case of Oklahoma bomber Timothy McVeigh, 27,
\nwho set off a truckload of explosives in the Alfred P. Murrah
\nFederal Building on April 19, 1995. The bombing killed 168 people
\nand injured 500 others.<\/p>\n
"He (McVeigh) was reported to be a smart guy with antisocial
\nbehavior who grew up with little interaction with society," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He asserted that the manifestation of such personality
\nimbalance could be less offensive or milder, but it was still
\ndefinitely antisocial.<\/p>\n
"That's why I hope the people involving in the project are
\nable to anticipate possible adverse impacts on the students to
\nensure that they also grow as emotionally-balanced persons, while
\nat the same time grow as creative and contributive scientists who
\nunderstand well actual situations in their society."<\/p>\n
The DKI Super Class is a program for exceptional students in
\nGreater Jakarta in which they are awarded free education with a
\nchance to be coached as international Science Olympiad
\ncandidates.<\/p>\n
The idea of the Super Class was floated by noted scientist
\nYohanes Surya, the person behind the success of several students
\nwho won International Science Olympiads recently.<\/p>\n
Among the requirements for the students admitted to the Super
\nClass is an intelligence quotient (IQ) of over 150.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a psychologist with the University of Indonesia,
\nFarida Haryoko urged the inclusion of "social, human and
\nreligious values" in the curriculum taught in the Super Class
\nprogram.<\/p>\n
"We don't want to let the students become freaks -- people who
\ncannot interact with others despite their intellectual
\nbrilliance," she told The Post.<\/p>\n
She emphasized that only scientists, who have soundness of
\nmind as well as a balanced personality, could deliver a real
\ncontribution to the society and nation.<\/p>\n
"Of course, the government should also pay greater attention
\nto them by giving a decent reward. Otherwise, we have to let them
\nwork with private companies which are willing to provide higher
\npay since the scientists' expertise is needed for their
\nbusiness," she said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/experts-warn-of-antisocial-behavior-in-super-class-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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