Restricted TV hours said to help students<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A gubernatorial decree prohibiting students from
\nwatching television from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the week has
\nproven effective in raising final exam scores, an official says.<\/p>\n
Markus Sugihardjo, head of the Yogyakarta education office,
\nsaid on Saturday that the Jam Belajar Masyarakat, or community
\nlearning hours program, is a success because teachers, parents
\nand other community members have helped enforce it.<\/p>\n
The average final exam math scores for elementary schools
\nstudents increased from 6.4 last year to 6.57, while natural
\nscience grades improved from 7.1 to 7.29.<\/p>\n
Though no data are yet available, Markus said he was sure that
\njunior and senior high school scores have also increased.<\/p>\n
Yogyakarta Governor Sri Pakualam VIII implemented the program
\nlast year after a three-year trial period in three villages in
\nthe province.<\/p>\n
Based on the decree, people have to turn off their televisions
\nfor at least two hours a day, from 6 to 8 p.m.<\/p>\n
The whole community is involved in the program. In some
\nvillages, officers patrol houses to see if their televisions have
\nbeen switched off.<\/p>\n
Wasis Siswanto, the principal of the local school that first
\nintroduced the program in his village Karang Waru Lor, said that
\nduring the trial the program has raised final exam scores by more
\nthan 50 percent.<\/p>\n
Previously, he said, only 20 percent of the students scored a
\nseven, on a scale of ten, in any subject. After the program, the
\npercentage increased to 75 percent.<\/p>\n
"The program is not only intended to improve grades, but to
\nalso help build discipline and character," Wasis told The Jakarta
\nPost.<\/p>\n
Markus said the success of the program depends greatly on the
\nparents. "Not all parents can implement it. For instance, they
\ntell their children to turn off the television and study, but
\nthey can't be there to see whether the children do so," he said.<\/p>\n
Or, he said, it's the parents who can't bear to have the
\ntelevision turned off because they want to watch.<\/p>\n
Both Markus and Wasis suggested that other provinces begin
\nsimilar programs.<\/p>\n
Wasis also suggested that the program be introduced
\nnationwide. "I wish this program could be launched by President
\nSoeharto, just like previous education programs," he said. (31)<\/p>",
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