Traditional or alternative methods for students?

Traditional or alternative methods for students?

Sunitha Girish
Bekasi
West Java

What kind of education system should we adopt? Should we
choose traditional methods or the alternatives? Does it even make
a difference?

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Indonesia's
greatest challenges -- achieving high economic growth, equitable
income distribution, conserving its natural wealth and
maintaining social harmony -- can all be met if there is an
effective education system instituted throughout the archipelago.
Overhauling the education system, any man on the street will tell
you, is one of the most pressing needs of the moment.

With National Plus Schools leading the way, it seems things
will be pretty rosy in another few years time. Or will they? Is
it so easy to iron out all the existing problems? Is there a
problem to start with? Newspapers frequently bring us stories of
Indonesian children faring very well in international
competitions in subjects traditionally deemed difficult here.

Do these successes portray a successful education system or
are these winners high achievers to start with who were coached
well for these competitions? Can we breathe a sigh of relief and
be confident that the wheels of change are not only turning but
also bringing us to our desired destination?

The right kind of education is always a hot topic of debate
and discussion. Basically, systems are classified as traditional
or alternative. While a majority of countries still use the
former, nations like the U.S, Britain and Australia have by and
large adopted alternative methods. They believe that alternative
methods accommodate every kind of student.

So, is it safe to say that all schools in Indonesia should
also shift to alternative methods? If we're to adopt the U.S.
attitude of "no child left behind", then the answer must be yes.
If we think that a certain section should be achievers and that
their success and wealth will trickle down, then the answer is
no.

Traditional methods require children to memorize facts, sit
for frequent tests and exams, and focus on subjects like math
and science as being crucial to success. The student is seen,
more or less, as a container that has to be filled. A student may
be found memorizing statements like this, "The blinking vertical
line on the monitor is a cursor." Meanwhile, alternative methods
inspire students to question in the hope that the questions will
lead to ideas. Subjects are balanced to provide holistic
education. Traditional methods envisage students seriously
considering the academic side of things, while the latter hopes
that curiosity and confidence will inspire a lifelong love for
learning. On the downside, one is accused of "drilling" and the
other of "dumbing down" the student.

The ongoing argument can be ended in one way, i.e., by looking
at the pivotal role of change all around us. The fact that
nothing is constant can best be explored in the schools. Flexible
curricula leave room for this. Traditional methods don't.
Reflection, a core concept in alternative schools, requires
students to analyze human feelings in relation to all the
happenings around them, of which they may or may not be a part.
After years of doing this in the company of educators, it becomes
easier for a person to adapt to the changes he encounters as an
adult.

Another observation is that traditional methods of teaching
face more problems regarding student progress. With the syllabus
considered to be supreme and grades the ultimate criteria, the
onus is on the student's, or even his guardian's, "effort", thus
leading to immense pressure. Flexible programs face fewer
difficulties. Being student-centered, they reduce the pressure on
the learner and alternatively place it on the curriculum, a
flexible tool in such schools.

So, what's holding back Indonesia in educating every single
citizen? Quite a few obstacles exist, ranging from funding to
attitudes. Funding -- something of which the government is in
short supply -- can alleviate the hardware problems quite easily
and to a certain extent the software problems too. Foreign
consultants can be brought in and training imparted.

Money can be earned, money can be lent and money can be
borrowed, but attitudes are not so easy to fix. Teachers educated
in traditional methods often struggle with the flexible concept.
Teachers brought up in alternative schools take to teaching in
these schools like fish to water, probably the main reason why
parents here eagerly seek native speaker teachers from America
and Australia. The mindset is often the most difficult aspect to
deal with. Sometimes teachers may be required to change their
attitudes completely in order to see a student progress.

Not everybody relishes the idea of learning something new to
such a drastic extent; most want to put into practice what
they've learnt. Teachers can be trained continuously to adapt to
change but the challenge is recruiting teachers who are capable
of change.

Obviously, the aim of providing quality education to each and
every child in Indonesia will take time to realize. Change takes
time and is often painful. The hope is that traditional schools
will slowly be phased out and replaced by alternative schools.
These should then become the norm rather than the exception.

The writer can be reached at girish@cbn.net.id.