New methodology for civics, moral teachings introduced

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of National Education introduced, on Tuesday, new methodology for civics and moral teachings to replace the present normative method.

"I'm afraid that our children are lacking pride in being Indonesian. They do not have a clue about nationalism, national defense or nationhood," Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin said after attending a seminar on national standards for civics education.

"How can they be proud with all the widespread riots and disputes such as those in Aceh and Maluku?" Yahya, who is also known as a military and political observer, said.

The current methodology for state ideology Pancasila, civics and moral teachings are full of boring lectures which force students to memorize norms and values without practising them in real life, Yahya said.

"Therefore we've set standards for civics education, known as PKN, to be given at each level from elementary and secondary education which will run in the next academic year, commencing July 2001," the minister said.

Universities will also receive civics education with more advanced and dynamic content.

Yahya cited an example on how students in the United States have a broad view and knowledge on its national defense.

"They learn civics in progressive ways. I went to Pearl Harbor and saw a young man shed tears when we came to the bombing in World War II.

"Can Indonesian children share the same sensitivity?" he asked.

The new civics education contains 11 basic understandings on subjects that encompass human rights, state principles, the constitution, the state system, law enforcement, multiculturalism, religious diversity, interdependence and patriotism, democracy, economic development, demography and history, national defense, local, national and international communication and national characteristics.

"It's no use having bright students who show little awareness of morality. A low moral understanding can often lead to violent behavior," Yahya said.

Students must have a progressive view on national defense and global challenges, he said.

"Our goal is to reach a situation where students at elementary school can speak honestly, understand and value the differences among his/her friends and respect their teachers," he said.

Teachers and parents have to act as day-to-day role models and encourage communication and interaction in formal and informal activities.

"Civics and morals are crucial for elementary pupils as after they grow up, they can decide for themselves," Yahya said.

The minister also said that in practice, teachers must undergo training so that they can teach in a fun but constructive manner, and not become stuck in the old way of giving boring lectures.

Tests will also be more analytical instead of multiple choice.

Moral teachings, known as budi pekerti, will be integrated into existing lessons such as religion, sports and basic science, with norms of sportsmanship and a high standard of achievement set.

Students, however, currently feel that PKN is a boring subject.

"We would not miss it (PKN lesson) if it were scrapped. I think it's a waste of time as the content is similar to that given in elementary and junior high schools," a second year student at SMU 70 high school told The Jakarta Post.

The allocation of two hours per week for civics lessons is normally attributed to mathematics or science, he said.

"It's boring. The teacher keeps making us memorize the same material, year after year. The format should be different," said Amelia, a student at SMU Tarakanita I.

A teacher at SMIP Santa Theresia vocational high school, said that teachers can save their students from boredom in PKN lessons.

"It all depends on the teachers. I love to teach the subject as the students and I are free to discuss topics such as democracy and its relation with the actual country's development," Theresia Seneng Rahayu, a graduate from Yogyakarta- based Gadjah Mada University, said.

"However, many PKN subjects have to be revised as they're already outdated. For instance, many new People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) decrees have yet to be included in the text books, and we are not allowed teach the old ones," Theresia said. (edt)