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Transforming Indonesia’s education system, one classroom at a time
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Ideas of teaching: Former Education and Culture Ministry undersecretary Fasli Jalal discusses the use of local languange in educating children with teachers (left to right): Nurdiana of Bima, West Nusa Tenggara Susana; Santi of East Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara; Johnny Tjia from Yayasan Sulinama, and Petrus Lambe from the Suluh Insan Lestari (SIL). (INOVASI/-)
T
here is a quiet revolution going on in Indonesia’s education system and it is happening across the nation, in classrooms, in schools, on remote islands, in jungle river communities and in big cities.
The revolution has the potential to dramatically improve Indonesia’s human resource capabilities, which is a major priority for the economy.
Since Indonesia gained independence in Aug. 17, 1945, education has focused on a one-size-fits-all approach.
The aim was to ensure that every Indonesian citizen could speak the national language, that every citizen understood the national ideology of Pancasila and that every citizen could meet the standard requirements of literacy and numeracy.
Now there is a new agenda for education. The 21st Century demands not just uniformity, but creativity, problem solving and critical thinking; what the government calls as the higher order thinking skills (HOTS).
During a recent event at the Education and Culture Ministry, Totok Suprayitno, head of the research and development body, spoke about a creative educational movement that is emerging in Indonesia’s schools.
“The emergence of creativity in the teaching of our children is a break away from the shackles that had confined us. The rules about how to teach, that is what we must change. Don't rely on habits so that it becomes a comfort zone,” Totok said during the event.
