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