SMS: Education Day

Wed, 05/07/2008 9:38 AM  |  Reader's Forum

A good and successful education system hinges on good and qualified teachers. Good and qualified teachers can only be found when they are adequately paid and respected.

These conditions are unfortunately missing in Indonesia. An underpaid teacher cannot focus on educating young children, when they themselves must face financial difficulties in their own homes.

The government must realize this and address the problem immediately. Money attracts talent.
CH LIM
Singapore

The biggest challenge in our education system will be making it self-correct. Stop looking for scapegoats to cover up the failures and weaknesses.

The education system will not improve without the community's understanding.

We must move together for a better education.
IAN
Bandung

We have a nine-year compulsory study, which is impossible to enforce without debating increased funding for education.

Focus on school resources and facilities and improve wages, training and conditions for teachers.

Investing in the future generations is the only way forward.
HENRI
Bandung

The question is whether it is legally necessary. Unfortunately, the inadequate legal system in Indonesia is exposed again.

Reform the legal system and these issues will go away.
CRAIG
Jakarta

There may be time when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to stand up. My heart goes to all students and teachers victimized by the National Examination (Ujian Nasional).
ANDOKO DARTA
Jakarta

The biggest challenge facing our education system is not only the poor quality of our human resources, but also to make schools drug-free environments, for example, by informing and educating students what each type of drug does and the dangers associated with taking it.

I think that would be an effective way to make a school a drug-free environment.
RUDI SALIM
Jakarta

The challenge is how to increase practical study items, not just theoretical ones.
YOSEVA SILAEN
Jakarta

The quality of education in our country is poor. Rich parents send their children abroad to study, and money goes to the other countries. If the government could provide high quality education, then rich parents would be happy to pay for their children's education in Indonesia and the government could use the money to help poor citizens get free education.

Everybody wins!
JOHNNY
Bandung

Well, I think people have to educate children about how to protect our environment, and make it a subject in classes.
GITA
Tangerang, Banten

Our education system will never get out of the vicious cycle. I think we have to overhaul the men behind the system, including the policy makers.
HEL
Makassar, South Sulawesi

The challenge goes back to the teachers -- as the agents of change.

How can we expect to improve our human resources if the teachers are largely unqualified.

Certification relies on a portfolio which doesn't necessarily reflect the teachers' competence.
YUYUM
Tangerang, Banten

The challenge is the integrity, consistency and continuity of our educational program -- the concept of education itself and the integrity of educators.
FRANS B
Jakarta

Our education system still emphasizes the role of teachers. That's an ineffective way to develop students' brains. Students must speak more actively.

They must practice this extensively and not just study theory. Teachers must encourage students to read books and explain what they have learned from them in front of their classmates.

They would become active and analytical students!
LEIL FATAYA
Bogor, West Java

The biggest challenge facing our education system is the lack of dedicated and sincere people to manage the system. The posts in our ministry are more politically-oriented than professional.
DONY ADRIANSYAH
Kuala Lumpur

We still have much homework to improve the quality of our education system.

Let's start with the national exam. We see many students studying hard not because they're motivated to be successful students, but because they're afraid of failing the test.

Many teachers were arrested for distributing the exam's key answers.

Of course, we should have a standard to determine whether students pass or fail, but it wouldn't be of any use unless the government improves the quality of human resources, and infrastructure in the education sector.

How can we expect students in remote areas to achieve high standards if they're already exhausted from walking thousands of miles just to reach school, which lacks supporting facilities like libraries or computers?

The government must fully commit to allocating 20 percent of the state budget to education. In fact, the amount allocated is less than 15 percent, which is a disgrace.

Let's improve our education system.
YASMIN
Tangerang, Banten

To improve the quality of education, the Government must allocate 20 percent of the budget to the education sector as ruled under the Constitution.
HARBILI SINAGA
Jakarta

Indonesian students at an early age show signs of discriminating against women, minorities and kids who are different. All people are equal, regardless of gender, religion, physical appearance, sexual orientation or personal opinions. This should be stressed at an early stage.
NICHOLAS
Jakarta

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.