'Long process' needed to overhaul education system
The Jakarta Post Jakarta
A sound character and mentality can only be produced through a good education, and this cannot be accomplished overnight, says President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
"We often encounter criticism about our (educational) planning and programs. Not because we are incapable, but because many of the programs are redundant," Megawati said on Thursday in a speech to commemorate National Education Day.
Megawati said that many Indonesians felt left behind when they compared their education system with those of other countries, and that the nation's weak education system had adversely affected the country's development.
The nation's character and mentality, she said, could not be improved through a revolution. Rather they could only be upgraded through a long process.
"I have asked the Minister of National Education to immediately review our education system," she said, adding that the system had to be systematic and consistent.
Juwono Sudarsono, a former minister of education, told The Jakarta Post that it was high time for the country to have a manageable education system
Such a system would help the government to set realistic targets in education.
Juwono likened the current school curriculum to an overcrowded city bus.
"The curriculum is overloaded with so many demands. Even the teachers can sometimes hardly understand the lessons. You can imagine what effect this has on the students," he told the Post.
The government should simplify and modify the curriculum, he said, in a bid to optimize the teaching and learning processes.
The nation's education system had been bombarded with ideas and suggestions from education experts over the last three-and-a- half years.
He said, however, that he had no doubts about the quality of education in Indonesia because he believed there were many local geniuses across the country.
"I think you should give more credit to Indonesian education instead of concentrating on its low quality or dilapidated schools. It's unfair," he said.
Juwono, however, admitted that on average, schools still needed much improvement.
"We must admit that the majority of schools are understaffed and underfunded. But again, there are also many pockets of excellence," he said.
Juwono suggested that teachers seek donations from local communities and the private sector to help the teaching-learning process in schools instead of always relying on the government.
"The government has no money. Both domestic and foreign companies must contribute to the development of education, especially vocational education," Juwono said.
Separately, Minister of National Education Abdul Malik Fajar said that the widely perceived notion that the national education system changed every time there was a change of minister was a fallacy.
Changes took place, he said, more because of the growth, reform and continuity that were inherent in education itself.
Speaking at his office, Malik said that education was a never- ending process and the discourse about quality education would never end.
"All of us, students, teachers, should be aware of developments in science, technology and information if we want to beat the global competition," he said.
The government plans to introduce a new education bill on May 26 to replace the 1989 education law. The country's education system has experienced an upheaval since 1998 when reform euphoria swept the country.
The new education bill will support the implementation of regional autonomy and allow schools to have greater authority to manage their own affairs.
Malik also met with 200 representatives from the Republic of Indonesia Teachers' Association (PGRI) on Thursday. The teachers voiced their concerns over the state of national education and the welfare of teachers throughout the country.
Malik promised to report the teachers' aspirations to the President and other relevant ministers. He said that government was preparing a new policy on teachers' remuneration.