New methodology for civics, moral teachings introduced<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of National Education introduced,
\non Tuesday, new methodology for civics and moral teachings to
\nreplace the present normative method.<\/p>\n
\"I'm afraid that our children are lacking pride in being
\nIndonesian. They do not have a clue about nationalism, national
\ndefense or nationhood,\" Minister of National Education Yahya
\nMuhaimin said after attending a seminar on national standards for
\ncivics education.<\/p>\n
\"How can they be proud with all the widespread riots and
\ndisputes such as those in Aceh and Maluku?\" Yahya, who is also
\nknown as a military and political observer, said.<\/p>\n
The current methodology for state ideology Pancasila, civics
\nand moral teachings are full of boring lectures which force
\nstudents to memorize norms and values without practising them in
\nreal life, Yahya said.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore we've set standards for civics education, known as
\nPKN, to be given at each level from elementary and secondary
\neducation which will run in the next academic year, commencing
\nJuly 2001,\" the minister said.<\/p>\n
Universities will also receive civics education with more
\nadvanced and dynamic content.<\/p>\n
Yahya cited an example on how students in the United States
\nhave a broad view and knowledge on its national defense.<\/p>\n
\"They learn civics in progressive ways. I went to Pearl
\nHarbor and saw a young man shed tears when we came to the bombing
\nin World War II.<\/p>\n
\"Can Indonesian children share the same sensitivity?\" he
\nasked.<\/p>\n
The new civics education contains 11 basic understandings on
\nsubjects that encompass human rights, state principles, the
\nconstitution, the state system, law enforcement,
\nmulticulturalism, religious diversity, interdependence and
\npatriotism, democracy, economic development, demography and
\nhistory, national defense, local, national and international
\ncommunication and national characteristics.<\/p>\n
\"It's no use having bright students who show little awareness
\nof morality. A low moral understanding can often lead to violent
\nbehavior,\" Yahya said.<\/p>\n
Students must have a progressive view on national defense and
\nglobal challenges, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Our goal is to reach a situation where students at elementary
\nschool can speak honestly, understand and value the differences
\namong his\/her friends and respect their teachers,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Teachers and parents have to act as day-to-day role models and
\nencourage communication and interaction in formal and informal
\nactivities.<\/p>\n
\"Civics and morals are crucial for elementary pupils as after
\nthey grow up, they can decide for themselves,\" Yahya said.<\/p>\n
The minister also said that in practice, teachers must undergo
\ntraining so that they can teach in a fun but constructive manner,
\nand not become stuck in the old way of giving boring lectures.<\/p>\n
Tests will also be more analytical instead of multiple choice.<\/p>\n
Moral teachings, known as budi pekerti, will be integrated
\ninto existing lessons such as religion, sports and basic science,
\nwith norms of sportsmanship and a high standard of achievement
\nset.<\/p>\n
Students, however, currently feel that PKN is a boring
\nsubject.<\/p>\n
\"We would not miss it (PKN lesson) if it were scrapped. I
\nthink it's a waste of time as the content is similar to that
\ngiven in elementary and junior high schools,\" a second year
\nstudent at SMU 70 high school told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
The allocation of two hours per week for civics lessons is
\nnormally attributed to mathematics or science, he said.<\/p>\n
\"It's boring. The teacher keeps making us memorize the same
\nmaterial, year after year. The format should be different,\" said
\nAmelia, a student at SMU Tarakanita I.<\/p>\n
A teacher at SMIP Santa Theresia vocational high school, said
\nthat teachers can save their students from boredom in PKN
\nlessons.<\/p>\n
\"It all depends on the teachers. I love to teach the subject
\nas the students and I are free to discuss topics such as
\ndemocracy and its relation with the actual country's
\ndevelopment,\" Theresia Seneng Rahayu, a graduate from Yogyakarta-
\nbased Gadjah Mada University, said.<\/p>\n
\"However, many PKN subjects have to be revised as they're
\nalready outdated. For instance, many new People's Consultative
\nAssembly (MPR) decrees have yet to be included in the text books,
\nand we are not allowed teach the old ones,\" Theresia said. (edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-methodology-for-civics-moral-teachings-introduced-1447893297",
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