Restricted TV hours said to help students

JAKARTA (JP): A gubernatorial decree prohibiting students from watching television from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the week has proven effective in raising final exam scores, an official says.

Markus Sugihardjo, head of the Yogyakarta education office, said on Saturday that the Jam Belajar Masyarakat, or community learning hours program, is a success because teachers, parents and other community members have helped enforce it.

The average final exam math scores for elementary schools students increased from 6.4 last year to 6.57, while natural science grades improved from 7.1 to 7.29.

Though no data are yet available, Markus said he was sure that junior and senior high school scores have also increased.

Yogyakarta Governor Sri Pakualam VIII implemented the program last year after a three-year trial period in three villages in the province.

Based on the decree, people have to turn off their televisions for at least two hours a day, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The whole community is involved in the program. In some villages, officers patrol houses to see if their televisions have been switched off.

Wasis Siswanto, the principal of the local school that first introduced the program in his village Karang Waru Lor, said that during the trial the program has raised final exam scores by more than 50 percent.

Previously, he said, only 20 percent of the students scored a seven, on a scale of ten, in any subject. After the program, the percentage increased to 75 percent.

"The program is not only intended to improve grades, but to also help build discipline and character," Wasis told The Jakarta Post.

Markus said the success of the program depends greatly on the parents. "Not all parents can implement it. For instance, they tell their children to turn off the television and study, but they can't be there to see whether the children do so," he said.

Or, he said, it's the parents who can't bear to have the television turned off because they want to watch.

Both Markus and Wasis suggested that other provinces begin similar programs.

Wasis also suggested that the program be introduced nationwide. "I wish this program could be launched by President Soeharto, just like previous education programs," he said. (31)