[b]Putting education

Putting education back on track

From Republika

The education sector faces an increasingly tough challenge. School teachers, who are required to direct students according to the aims of national education, find their efforts obscured by negative external factors.

Moreover, the institution of education has now been misrepresented by film producers, directors and teenage stars, with a variety of schools being turned into settings for TV dramas depicting ways of life that are completely opposed to the nation's educational aims.

Such dramas "teach" students to live a luxury life, get involved in gang feuds and "engage in free sex". In this way, students become less inclined to accept the more humdrum realities of their lives.

It is also difficult for teachers to motivate students to pursue further study because lots of them are more interested in joining talent contests in a bid to be successful by relying on good looks and a fine voice, instead of deeper knowledge.

Therefore, I would like to appeal that youth education be put back on track and that the institution of education has its original function restored. In this case, the minister of national education and the relevant House commission should exercise proper control.

HARRY RACHMAD Jakarta