Education and ethics

From Neraca

A number of issues -- student brawls, the hanky-panky business between executives and officials when acquiring a project, corruption, bribes and family quarrels -- are again hot topics of discussion these days.

This is the reason why I'm suggesting that education in ethics, morals and religion should be revived. It should be strengthened at the elementary level and further emphasized in high school.

Today, it is as if the concept of ethics no longer exists. Respect for parents, teachers and those much older is sadly lacking. Polite behavior or respect is shown only out of fear or with an ulterior motive.

Another thing I noticed when traveling by bus is that most students hand their fares to the conductor with their left hand (impolite in Indonesian tradition) while the conductor could easily be the same age as their fathers. Surely, this kind of behavior reflects very uncivilized behavior. No regard for respect and politeness means we have slid down so far in ethical term. Noble traits have really been absent from this part of the world.

When we heard sometime ago that lessons in ethics were going to be revived, we warmly welcomed the idea. Good ethics are part of a civilized people.

SILABUS PAKRENA

Jakarta.