Teaching good from bad

Teaching good from bad

From Kompas

Schools from kindergarten to senior high have not had the
subject of budi pekerti (ethics) in their curriculum for over 20
years. This subject is essential because it teaches students to
tell the good from the bad. The teaching stresses that people
must choose the good although from nature humankind has the free
will to choose between the good or the bad. Therefore, people
must be given the capability to differentiate the good from the
bad.

At a cursory glance, the matter seems to be insignificant
because it concerns ordinary things in daily life. A further
observation, however, shows that it is not enough to issue
orders, reminders and prohibitions to children. Besides, children
do not like to hear their teachers and parents excessively praise
things of the past.

Therefore, it is necessary to instruct and educate children on
the basics of morals, motivation and good behavior. Budi Pekerti
including ethics is the right material to be adopted again in any
curriculum from kindergarten to high schools.

I appeal to Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono
to reinstate the subject of budi pekerti in the school
curriculum.

THERESIA PANTITI

Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan