Standards in education

Standards in education

From Pelita

I'm sorry to say that standards in education are now
declining. The following examples have led me to feel concerned
about the state of our educational system:
* As the nation's final high school exams have been scrapped,
both teachers and students have lost their motivation to maintain
high educational standards and school reports are easily cooked.
* As schools are free to determine which books to use, parents
now have to spend more money on books. A set of books can only be
used for one scholastic year. The following year, a different set
of books is used. So, books cannot be passed on from one child to
a younger sibling.
* Many senior decision-making figures in education do not come
from educational circles and their knowledge of educational
matters is questionable. The fact is that these positions are a
bone of contention among political parties. Schools will accept
new students as a means of making money. They can set the amount
of entrance fees as they wish. It is difficult for students from
outside Jakarta to be accepted by schools in the capital, even
when their grades are good.
* A drop in the nation's educational standards opens up
opportunities for international schools to operate in this
country. The Singapore International School, for example, is a
favorite among well-to-do parents hoping their children will get
good education.

It is advisable for the government, therefore, not to change
the educational system without carefully studying the real
situation. If the quality of our education worsens, this
situation will endanger the country in the long term.

MOH. AMIN

Depok, West Java