Teacher colleges should be transformed slowly
Teacher colleges should be transformed slowly
UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): The government's plan to
convert state-run teacher training institutes (IKIPs) into full-
fledged universities should happen gradually, say education
experts.
H. Engkoswara, the chairman of the Association of Indonesian
Educators, told The Jakarta Post that it would be better to start
with only a few colleges so as to monitor the results.
Earlier, Engkoswara delivered to the government a statement
containing a number of suggestions on how to improve the quality
of the students graduating from the schools.
The association suggested that the government reduce or
control the number of state-run and private colleges, while
enforcing standards and regulations.
"Change IKIPs into learning institutions which are as tightly
run as medical schools," Engkoswara said.
The association has also suggested that the government
establish a special directorate general to better manage the 300
teacher colleges across the country.
Engkoswara said many IKIPs, such as the ones in Bandung and
Ujungpandang, are ready to be upgraded into universities, which
take longer and offer more disciplines.
"However, it will be up to the government to decide which of
the colleges is to be converted," he told the Post.
The association's statement was made during a session with
Bambang Soehendro, a senior official at the Ministry of Education
and Culture, at the four-day national convention on education
which closes tomorrow.
Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro
announced the conversion program recently and said that due to
limited funds, the government would start with only three IKIPs.
A special team has been established to review the applications
already submitted by ten state-owned IKIPs.
The government hopes to announce the first three next month.
A participant from West Nusa Tenggara also suggested that
colleges tighten selection procedures for new entrants.
"Select only those who are talented and motivated, grill them
with tests," he said.
I Wayan Ardhana from IKIP Malang, East Java, named his own
college as an example of an institute ready for the transition.
"We have plenty of space, facilities, good laboratories...but
fewer students because people are reluctant to enter teacher
colleges.
"If the college is changed into a university then it can
produce not only teachers but also experts on chemistry, biology
and other disciplines," he said.
Bambang Soehendro, who is the education ministry's director
general of higher education, said that what's even more important
than changing the status of IKIPs is the attitude of the people
involved.
"Educational progress and development is determined by the
people, not the institutions, whether they are colleges or
universities," he said.