Problem in the schools

Problem in the schools

From Media Indonesia

In 1998 the national education minister issued a decree
abolishing household management sciences (PKK) at high schools
and leaving the teaching of foreign languages (other than
English) fully at the discretion of the high schools.

Many PKK teachers had to move to vocational schools to find
work. Likewise, many foreign language teachers -- with the
exception of English teachers -- had to find jobs elsewhere. Many
of them failed to get employment, though, or had to teach other
subjects that were not within their range of competence.

As a result, many of these teachers found it difficult to get
promoted because the abolition of their subjects meant fewer
teaching hours.

As for the students, they lost an opportunity to learn foreign
languages other than English. Many of them had to take special
courses to study these languages.

It is ridiculous to note that in some state universities, for
example the Jakarta State University, there are still departments
of PKK and foreign languages (other than English). When the
students in these departments graduate, where will they work?
Won't they only just add to the ranks of the unemployed?

At this juncture, it would be appropriate for the Teachers'
Association to take a stance on this issue and for the national
education ministry to review its decision on this matter.

RISMA

Jakarta