State universities unprepared for 2 entrance exams
State universities unprepared for 2 entrance exams
Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Leaders of state universities are less than enthused about a
government plan to increase the number of enrollment tests to
their institutions of higher learning to twice a year.
While acknowledging that the idea is commendable,
administrators and others doubt its feasibility, as state
universities have yet to develop adequate facilities, teaching
staff and overall funding.
Some rectors proposed that the government address the
important shortcomings -- especially the funding -- first, before
implementing the move.
Otherwise, they said, the noble plan may backfire.
Haris Mudjiman, rector of the Surakarta-based Sebelas Maret
University said that, with entrance tests taking place twice a
year, state colleges will have to double their capacity.
"It would definitely affect the number of teaching staff and
facilities, including libraries and laboratories -- whereas our
existing resources are minimal," Haris told Antara.
The plan to double the number of times for state university
entrance tests to be administered, was announced by Minister of
National Education Abdul Malik Fadjar last week.
It is expected to allow better opportunities for high school
graduates to pursue higher education degrees and speed up the
improvement of human resources at the national level.
The plan, however, has yet to be discussed with rectors to
seek input as to whether it can start in September, 2002 for the
first test, and in January of the next year for the second.
Ponpon S. Idjradinata, deputy rector of Padjajaran University
in Bandung doubted that his university would be ready to
implement the program so soon.
"We have no adequate human resources, infrastructure and
facility ready," Ponpon told The Jakarta Post over the weekend.
Padjadjaran University, he said, has already employed all the
facilities it has to accommodate its student body of 45,000.
Capacity, though, is but one of many problems. The
availability of qualified teaching staff is another major
headache for most state universities.
Sutjipto, rector of Jakarta State University, said that
shortages in teaching have been a non-stop problem.
His university currently employs 825 teachers for its 14,000
students. Every year, he said, around 20 teachers reach
retirement age. But at the same time, the university only gets
about 10 teachers every year to fill their place.
Ponpon told of a similar situation. Of the 1,800 teachers,
Padjajaran University is in need of 60 new teachers to replace
its retiring staff; so far, though, it has gotten only 30.
The uneven teacher-to-student ratio is feared to affect the
quality of education.
"Teachers will not have time to refresh their knowledge
because they spend their entire year teaching," Ponpon remarked.
One of their top problems, however, is finance.
Should the policy be implemented, state universities will
require more money to meet basic operational costs. Currently,
they rely heavily on government subsidies which, even now, do not
fully cover their needs.
John Tafbu Ritonga, deputy rector of Medan-based North Sumatra
University, suggested that the government would have to jack up
the budget for education before implementing the policy.
Government spending for education now only makes up one
percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It was far the below
4.5 to 7 percent spent in developed countries, and 2.5 to 7.5
percent in other developing countries.
"Even with once a year state entrance tests, many universities
are struggling to run their universities due to the lack of
funds," he said.
Sutjipto, however, suggested that universities be allowed to
tap into other financial resources. Since a state university is
not a state-owned enterprise, he said, one immediate solution
would be to increase student fees.
"But this will meet resistance from students and public," he
warned.