New methodology for civics, moral teachings introduced

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)