Educators need a more positive attitude to be model to students

Simon Marcus Gower, Executive Principal, High/Scope Indonesia, Jakarta

Talking recently to educators in Indonesia has, at times, been a disturbing experience. It seems there is a very negative perception brought to the task of educators in this country; a perception that will and is inevitably likely to spill over to effect the students for which educators hold responsibility. There is often an almost pitiful dejection that conspires to undermine the education process.

Take this as an example -- "the children today are so naughty. It is impossible to control them. They have no discipline." In a statement such as this, made by a senior high school teacher, it is possible to detect both dejection and an abdication of duty. It does not seem to have occurred to this teacher that she holds a considerable part of the responsibility to create control in the students and maintain a level of discipline that they will respect and adhere to.

But teachers all over the world would probably recognize and sympathize with difficulties of discipline and control. Let's face it; teenagers are in a difficult time of change that is recognized as being a prime time for unruly behavior and even rebellion. However the extent of dejection and even resignation that students in Indonesia are ill-disciplined and out of control is often disturbingly strong within Indonesian teachers.

These sentiments of dejection and resignation can be so pervasive that teachers seem completely depressed about the prospects of the students for whom they have responsibility.

At a recent meeting of teachers from four different Jakarta based high schools one of the teachers described what he called "a lost generation" of students. He went on to suggest that this "lost generation" would graduate from their schooling with "low moral values, little respect for their elders and no real idea about what they can or will contribute to society once they have graduated." In short this teacher painted a very black picture of school leavers in Jakarta.

Perhaps, what was just as sad as listening to this gloomy speaker was the view of his listeners. Those other teachers listening generally wore expressions of understanding; some were even nodding in recognition of his observations and agreement with his conclusions. This kind of thing is damaging in so many ways but let us just consider two important aspects.

One, if this is truly how teachers are thinking, then it is going to be extremely difficult to get them to work towards re- finding this so called "lost generation" and bringing them back to a useful direction. And two, with this kind of mentality being pervasive it is surely going to be difficult to keep people in teaching and, just as importantly, recruit people to the profession of teaching.

It is possible, too, to see that these kinds of negative thoughts are not isolated -- as one would really hope. This is illustrated by an event organized a while ago in a noted Jakarta high school. Though the intention of organizing this event may have been highly positive and the aim may have been to create a celebratory party atmosphere the title given to the event suggested otherwise.

For the organizers of this event, that included popular singing artists and bands, entitled it "Let us unite to save our generation". Immediately a title such as this creates the impression of a desperate condition in which a generation of people is in peril.

Undoubtedly there are perils facing each generation of school attendees and school leavers but there is nothing new or unfamiliar in this. For decades now all school students have felt and been made aware of the perils of drugs. The slogan "just say no!" is by now familiar to not only millions in Indonesia but also probably billions around the world.

In short, there are undoubtedly dangers and difficulties that threaten all generations of school students. This is in fact quite normal and part of the challenge of growing up and attaining adulthood.

But these dangers and difficulties should not be overstated by educators and allowed to undermine their desire or ability to meet their responsibilities. In Indonesia there is simply no such thing as a "lost generation" of school students. Nor is it necessary to think that we must "save our generation".

Educators have a great duty to act as a role model and this should be a positive role model. Perhaps all people concerned with education in Indonesia should keep in mind the American writer James Baldwin's observation that "children have never been good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them." It is true that educating can be a difficult and even painful process but educators cannot afford to be overwhelmed by these problems.

If ever they are, it is then (and only then) that there is a danger of suffering a lost generation. But in Indonesian schools presently it is possible to see great vitality, life and hope in the students. All educators must work to capitalize on and develop the vitality of youth that is, without question, still to be found amongst Indonesian students.

The opinions expressed above are personal.