New education curriculum draws mixed responses

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)