National exam not educational

National exam not educational

From Media Indonesia

The controversy on whether the government should hold the national exam continues, involving not only educational experts, laymen, politicians and bureaucrats but also the country's Vice President. Jusuf Kalla told one Jakarta's newspapers that the national examination would be an effective instrument to improve Indonesia's human resources, which are currently poorly educated.

In the House of Representatives, however, the debate on this matter centers more on the legal aspects of the examination rather than on its usefulness and ability to boost the quality of the country's human resources. House members believe that this national exam violates Law No. 20/2004 on the national education system.

The purpose of education in Indonesia -- according to the stipulation of the People's Consultative Assembly, the law and so forth -- is not to prepare students for the national examination but to fully develop Indonesians. That's why if the national exam is included in the national education system, students will only focus their attention on how to pass this exam. They will study hard only to reach the standards set in the exam so that they can join good schools later.

A fully developed person -- the goal of Indonesia's national education system -- is a person that believes in God and has a noble mind. He must be skillful, healthy -- mentally and physically -- independent and responsible. He also must be a good citizen. How can a student become a fully developed person if their quality is measured only from the result of a three-day exam?

ALI DASNI Padang, West Sumatra