Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education: Academic Ability Test Understood as a Tool for Strengthening Learning
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) states that the implementation of the Academic Ability Test (TKA) for junior high school levels in various regions is now understood as a means to measure personal abilities while encouraging stronger and more directed learning motivation.
Deputy Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Wamendikdasmen) Fajar Riza Ul Haq said this situation indicates an important shift in the perspective of students, teachers, and educational units, from previously perceiving TKA as a tense examination.
“TKA is like a medical check-up in education. We need to know the actual condition. What needs to be strengthened and improved. From there, policies can be formulated based on data, not estimates,” Fajar stated in a written statement in Jakarta on Monday.
He emphasised that this change in perspective is the essence of implementing TKA itself.
In Pelalawan Regency, Riau Province, students at SMP Negeri Bernas admitted to feeling anxious when first taking the TKA.
However, the direct experience of working on the questions actually changed that perception.
“At first, I was nervous and scared because it had never been done before. But after doing it, it turned out not as difficult as imagined,” said a ninth-grade student at SMP Bernas, Fidelia Noviyanti Hutagaol.
Similar experiences were felt by other students at SMP Negeri Bernas.
They assessed that the TKA questions have a moderate level of difficulty and can still be completed well, especially after practising and discussing questions at school.
Teachers integrate TKA preparation into regular classroom learning.
“We discuss TKA questions during lesson hours so that the children still learn without feeling burdened,” said one teacher at SMP Bernas, Savitri Oktavia.
The principal of SMP Negeri Bernas, Marisah, emphasised that the presence of TKA actually brings positive impacts on students’ learning behaviour.
“The children become more diligent in studying. They want to show their best abilities. TKA is very good because it tests students’ potential as well as the school’s capabilities,” she said.
She also conveyed that all ninth-grade students at the school participated in the TKA without significant obstacles, supported by adequate facilities and infrastructure.