New education curriculum draws mixed responses
JAKARTA (JP): The government's plan to introduce a new core education curriculum was met with mixed reactions on Wednesday, although it was agreed that proper implementation was the key to solving education problems.
Noted educationist J. Drost SJ said the government's proposal was unnecessary because the current curriculum, introduced in 1994, could meet international standards if it was implemented in a flexible manner.
"The current curriculum, which gives more attention to sciences such as mathematics, physics and biology should be fully implemented only in top-ranking schools while average schools should go ahead with the new curriculum," he told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
Former minister of education and culture Fuad Hassan hailed the move, saying a simple curriculum would enable students to develop better.
"In principle, a slim curriculum will meet the needs of children to develop. But it has to be followed by an availability of qualified teachers to implement the curriculum," he told the Post.
He said reducing core subjects would directly minimize classes and relieve students' burdens. "It is important not to add more subjects that are less important, such as sex education," he added.
Fuad, who served as minister between 1992 and 1994, claimed to have started efforts to introduce a less rigid curriculum in 1987, but failed because of challenges from many parties.
The new curriculum, which has less compulsory subjects, will take effect beginning in the new school year in July. The compulsory subjects are mathematics, Bahasa Indonesia and general scientific knowledge.
Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin said the curriculum would give students more time for extracurricular activities.
He said the 1994 curriculum, which consist of 10 compulsory subjects and two local content studies, was burdensome for students and gave them inadequate time to develop their creativity.
Pedagogy expert Prof. Suyanto, who is also rector of the University of Yogyakarta, threw his weight behind Yahya on Wednesday, saying that concentrating on just the core subjects would encourage students to develop not only their knowledge but also their perceptions.
"The current curriculum is 'subject-oriented' and is oppressive particularly for elementary school students. It is an obsessive curriculum because it is designed to produce geniuses without giving students adequate opportunity to enjoy their childhoods," he told the Post.
Suyanto suggested that a curriculum should provide students with subjects that help them develop emotionally.
"That is why the curriculum for elementary, junior and senior high schools must be simple and consist of basic subjects only," he said.
He said the new curriculum could help students improve their social skills.
Drost conceded that the current curriculum overburdened students when fully implemented in average schools, leaving students no time to develop their creativity.
"That is why a minimum curriculum should be earmarked for senior high schools whose graduates are expected to continue their studies in institutes or academies where they can prepare themselves for employment.
"Universities should admit only top-ranking school graduates in a bid to produce scholars and scientists."
Drost, also a Jesuit priest, also criticized the plan to include computer studies and English for elementary school students.
He feared the subjects would be a hurdle for students to master Bahasa Indonesia and to developing creativity.
"The teaching of the two subjects will be a force against children," he said.
Fuad said he was aware that the quality of teachers would determine whether the new curriculum would bear fruit. "Teachers of elementary schools, at which level of education is basic, should be the first to be improved," he said. (rms/04/44)