Indonesians lowest in basic skills<\/p>\n
Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A lack of teachers, disparity of facilities in regions, the
\nqualification of teachers and teaching methods, were the main
\ncauses of the inadequacy among Indonesian students in basic
\nskills, Minister of National Education Abdul Malik Fajar said.<\/p>\n
He was commenting on the recently published survey of 15-year-
\nolds conducted by UNESCO's Program for International Student
\nAssessment (PISA). The survey ranked Indonesian students among
\nthe lowest in basic skills compared to their peers in 42 other
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
"In terms of the number of students in schools, basic
\neducation in Indonesia is growing very rapidly. However, in terms
\nof quality a wide gap still exists between big and modern cities
\nand small and less developed ones," Malik told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
As an example, he mentioned the lack of facilities, including
\nteaching staff, that is experienced by many regions in the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
"Since the Old Order the government has been trying to resolve
\nthe shortage of teachers by implementing several programs," he
\nsaid. "At one time, university students and graduates were sent
\nto remote areas to become teachers, and to open schools".<\/p>\n
"But most programs were either changed or stopped because of
\nsocial, political, economic and security changes," he said.<\/p>\n
The programs were not capable of being sustained and failed to
\nreach their goals, according to the minister. He said the
\neducation system needed to keep in mind four simultaneous
\nelements: growth, change, renewal and sustainability. He admitted
\nthat Indonesia was still lacking in all those four.<\/p>\n
Malik also said that most of the reading material given to
\nelementary school students was too hard to understand. "Most
\n(reading materials) lack any connection to daily life and do not
\nallow students to use either their imagination or creativity".<\/p>\n
"What is happening now is that teachers and institutions are
\ntrying to 'impress' students with modern facilities and
\ncomplicated texts," he said, "this only makes students unable to
\nunderstand what they are learning, even in basic areas."<\/p>\n
Students are used to memorizing material and don't understand
\nwhat they are learning.<\/p>\n
He regretted that many students were not familiar with the
\nanimals and plants of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"If students fail to understand what they learn at lower
\nlevels it follows that they will fail to understand what they
\nlearn at higher levels," said the minister.<\/p>\n
Malik said the government is working on narrowing the gap
\nbetween city and outer-city schools. It is hoped that financial
\naid will increase the quality of students across the country and
\nfulfill the need for community-based education.<\/p>\n
However, he said, it was not easy to bring about change. "The
\ngovernment can implement tough policies but we should also
\nconsider the reaction of the people".<\/p>\n
He referred to the controversial new system of the national
\nfinal exam (UAN).<\/p>\n
The new system distinguishes graduates as those that passed
\nthe exam (lulus) and those that failed, but are considered to
\nhave finished their school years (tamat).<\/p>\n
Those who passed (lulus) may continue their study or work,
\nwhile those who failed but finished their schooling, (tamat) may
\nwork but can't continue their studies.<\/p>\n
He also questioned the teachers' readiness to adjust to new
\npolicies. "Most have been under the same system for years and it
\nis hard to change, we are talking about a fixed mind-set," said
\nthe minister.<\/p>\n
The minister concluded that if conditions were sustainable the
\nrehabilitation of the basic education system could still take at
\nleast 10 years and a budget of about Rp 15 trillion (US$1,765
\nbillion).<\/p>\n
"That would cover the whole country and include the cost of
\nteachers, facilities and improvements to the school environment."<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesians-lowest-in-basic-skills-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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