University students make the best of Pancasila course
By Prapti Widinugraheni
JAKARTA (JP): University fresher students give mixed opinions on the obligation to take part in the Pancasila ideology course, with verdicts ranging from "tiring" to "useful for our future".
Interviewed by The Jakarta Post shortly after the closing ceremony of the course at the main auditorium of the University of Indonesia, the first spontaneous remark given by a group of female students was that it was "boring".
"It makes us sleepy and its long hours are too demanding for us," said Sari, a fresher from the School of Economics.
Vina from the School of Engineering admitted that although she is aware that the course was for a good cause, "taking part in it was difficult".
Most of those who found the course dull tried to see the positive side of the course, which can vary from one person to another.
Rima from the School of Economy and Mira from the School of Social and Political Sciences said taking part in the Pancasila course gave them the chance to make new friends, especially those from other schools.
This was possible since all the new students are mixed and then divided into big groups consisting of 212 to 310 students and smaller groups comprising some 30 students, they added.
A group of male students enjoyed the course, particularly the discussion sessions which they found a good place to express their opinions on political issues.
"We can debate on articles of the 1945 Constitution or the country's political system," said Petter and Sutan, both from the School of Economics.
Budi from the School of Social and Political Sciences said he did not see any immediate benefit of the ideology course, although he was certain "it would be useful in the future as our daily guideline".
The students said not all the sessions were exciting.
"The intensive sessions could be quite boring and if we are not sleepy, we may be lucky enough to listen to them," said Dedi who is taking up economics. He added that the atmosphere of a session depended on the lecturer's skill to liven up the class.
One particular advantage they definitely gained from the course which they all agreed was that "We got to know the girls".
Sessions
The Pancasila course consisted of discussions, simulations and intensive debates on Pancasila, the 1945 State Constitution and the State Guidelines.
Known better as the P4 course, it lasted for five days, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
The P4 course was first introduced by the government in 1978 to civil servants, politicians and professionals.
Starting in 1983, it was made a mandatory course for first- year university students under a 100-hour scheme, replacing hazing towards new students which the government considered non- educational.
Starting this year the course has been reduced to 45 hours and is now a prerequisite to enable student to take two credit points on Pancasila Studies.
The University of Indonesia this year gave the course to 2,612 students, which is an increase from last year's 2,473, 1992's 2,494 and 1991's 2,239 students.
According to Chairman of the University's P4 course Soesiswo, 4.8 percent of students failed to pass the course this year. In 1993, 1992 and 1991, 5.8, 8.7 and 8.2 percent failed it, respectively.
The effectiveness of the P4 course has long been a subject of debate.
Former vice president Sudharmono who now heads the Presidential Advisory Board on the Promotion of Pancasila admitted last month on the need to invigorate the course and the material of the P4 course.
He said the course should be more interesting so people would not take it only because it was mandatory but more because they wanted to.
P4 lecturer Suwarniyati Sartomo, who is also a staff member of the UI's School of Social and Political Sciences, considered the course as "definitely very effective".
"Now that the 100-hour scheme has been reduced to 45, I am sure students will be more actively involved and interested," she told The Jakarta Post.
She considered those who were easily bored and worn out as "students who found difficulty in adapting to the new atmosphere of the university".
"Some sessions are actually very interesting and can make the classes alive because they are not forced to listen to lectures," she said.
One way to keep them awake, she said, was by assigning them to write papers.
Students also admitted this method proved effective in keeping them attentive.
"During our high school, we didn't have to listen too much to the Pancasila court,but now we have no choice because we have assignments to do and the classes are also much smaller," said Vera, a fresher student of the School of Social and Political Sciences.