Quality control program for 'madrasah'<\/p>\n
Maya Dahlan, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Renowned educator Arief Rahman has suggested that the government
\nand operators of 35,000 madrasah (Islamic school) in the country
\napply a "quality control program", namely tightening up selection
\nprocedures, improving management and striving for better
\nscholastic achievements.<\/p>\n
"Let the children have the widest opportunity to explore their
\ntalents, creativity and other positive qualities," he said in a
\nrecent interview.<\/p>\n
Commenting about the meager education budget provided by the
\ngovernment, Arief said: "Money is not everything. I am sure that
\ndetermination and hard work of all parties involved in the
\ncampaign would eventually help improve the quality of those
\nIslamic schools."<\/p>\n
What concerns some educators is the possibility that a poor
\nimage of the madrasah affects the self-esteem of the students and
\ntheir motivation to achieve.<\/p>\n
Purwitaningsih, a psychologist affiliated to the Kita dan Buah
\nHati Foundation, said the key to healthy confidence lay in the
\nhands of the parents at home. A child is said to have good self-
\nesteem when he or she understands their strength and weaknesses
\nthus rendering a relatively accurate self-image.<\/p>\n
A child develops a negative self-image when parents or
\nsignificant others label them with limitations -- a well-spread
\npractice in Indonesian communities, she said.<\/p>\n
"Notice how easy it is for parents and teachers to admonish
\nchildren when they are not that generous with praises?" she said.
\n"Comments such as 'silly', 'stupid' erode the child's self-
\nesteem. Rarely, however, parents take the time to praise a deed
\nwell done by the child."<\/p>\n
"Praise is a vital ingredient for a child's healthy
\nconfidence," she said in a recent interview. She suggested that
\nparents limit their tendency to place blame whenever a child made
\nmistake, and to label. Instead, she suggested that parents be
\nmore generous with praise and appreciation when a child tried to
\ndo something new or different.<\/p>\n
"Notice how the flag-hoisting ceremony on Monday in school is
\nusually filled with the principal or teacher calling attention to
\nthe students' shortcomings?" she said, adding that it was true
\nboth in general school and Islamic schools.<\/p>\n
"This practice has got to stop. This ceremony has to be
\ndeveloped into a session where teachers give students
\nencouragement for the week ahead of them."<\/p>\n
Purwita also suggested that every madrasah find and develop
\nits uniqueness and strengths in order to develop into a better
\nschool.<\/p>\n
"One school, for instance, could develop itself into a center
\nof young hafidz (those who know the Koran by heart)," she said.
\n"Madrasah, above all, should really reflect the true Islamic
\nvalues."<\/p>",
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