'Long process' needed to overhaul education system
'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.