Regional languages in school

Regional languages in school

From Kompas

The curriculum in the country needs a major review as the
advancement of the country's education is still slow. Take for
example the regional language subject, which is compulsory in
elementary schools outside the capital city of Jakarta.

As we live in Bekasi, West Java, my six-year-old son, who is
still in the first grade of an elementary school, is taught
Sundanese. The teaching of this subject is inappropriate as he is
still learning to read and then has to study a language which
happens not to be our mother tongue (Javanese). I find it
difficult to help him when he is having trouble with his
Sundanese homework. My son is even confused about why his mother
has not mastered Sundanese.

It is better to give the Sundanese lesson to children when
they are able to read and write the Indonesian language fluently,
for example when children are in the fourth grade in elementary
school. At this age children can learn languages more effectively
and perhaps they can also learn the languages of other regions
such as Manado, Palembang, Minang and so forth.

Isn't it better to use the four hours designated for Sundanese
lessons for other lessons more suitable for small children such
as music or ethics?

DYAH P SHINTAWATI

Bekasi, West Java