Crime and education system

From Tempo

Crimes including white collar crimes are on the rise.

Why is this? Competition in amassing wealth is probably one of the main causes.

Collusion between businessmen and the bureaucracy, bribery and nepotism are the most popular ways for obtaining a job, bank loan or power.

These deeds reduce people to mere monsters who ignore human rights, oppress workers and destroy the environment.

Unfortunately, these ills fare well in our current political system.

The Indonesian education system and television programs are also good examples in this case.

Our education system is in poor condition because the orientation is to fulfill political demands and accelerate economic growth.

As scholar Kuntowidjojo said, the Indonesian universities and colleges have become servants of the political and business sectors. The mushrooming of professional courses offered by Indonesian high educational institutions proves his statement.

Why should our educational system put aside another important aspect of the integrity of human beings: conscience and morality? Why is our education system led by the market requirements?

We should realize that since the renaissance, social sciences have developed under both materialistic and philosophical paradigms. And even today we have to stick to these two paradigms and not try to change them with alternative paradigms. By putting aside philosophical values, materialism will contaminate the way one thinks, acts and decides.

Television programs are not much help either. It is one of the most effective media to amass wealth by enticing people to buy things. But, it seems that both the advertisers as well as the television stations never care about the side effect of bad films and advertisements that feature violent and pornographic programs.

Bad television programs ruin people's morale and advertisements turn them into consumptive people and quasi- bourgeoisie.

I think we should be aware that crimes and violence are indicators of the declining integrity of man.

IWAN TIRTOYUWONO

NSW, Australia