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