T

eachers play an essential part in building a nation. History reveals that a developed country has many good teachers and their role in building strong human resources has become a top priority. This means that an advanced country has put education, along with teachers, as the primary consideration among other important issues.

Take, for instance, Japan, when Hirosima and Nagasaki were ruined by the atomic bomb. The government never asked to rebuild the buildings, organize new economic policy or even how many victims this bloody tragedy had left behind. The Japanese government merely asked how many teachers were left because it was thinking about the future. Education is considered a solution to becoming a developed country. Education and teachers cannot be separated from one another as they are closely integrated.

Most advanced countries are a lot more concerned about education than developing countries. They have good education systems and teachers. That is why Japan turned out to be a developed country in Asia.

Indonesia talks a lot about its regional ambitions, but these will only be realized if the education system, along with improvements in teacher’s skills, is given top priority.

Indonesia has been independent for 67 years. We can be a developed country if only the government would give greater attention to education and teachers. If these two elements are treated well, then we will have good human resources.

It seems that access to a good education and teachers only belongs to certain people. However, all Indonesian citizens have the same right to a better education.

It is very sad, knowing that Indonesia students score lower than their counterparts in China and Thailand in science, reading and math. What is wrong with our education system?

These failures are the result of an education system that leads to poor student achievement and a failure to properly equip our teachers with the skills they need. Furthermore, incentives and career paths remain still unclear for teachers, especially those who teach in very remote areas.

Stop debating and let’s think about a better solution. We can improve our teachers and build a good education system if all of stakeholders are willing to close the existing loopholes in the system and work hand-in-hand.

Japan and other developed countries in the world have gone through these situations. It is a trial and error process. In other words, we don’t have to be inferior. We still have time, and we can achieve our goals if we believe.

Magain Ratu Taufan Rumalean
Jakarta