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Issue of the day: Teachers struggle to write scientific papers
June 29, p4A government policy that requires teachers to write academic papers or scientific work to qualify for promotion has resulted in 800,000 teachers across the country struggling to earn promotion, according to the Indonesian Teachers Union (PGRI)
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strong>June 29, p4
A government policy that requires teachers to write academic papers or scientific work to qualify for promotion has resulted in 800,000 teachers across the country struggling to earn promotion, according to the Indonesian Teachers Union (PGRI).
PGRI chairman Sulistyo said that the policy caused great stress on teachers, as it was very difficult for them to publish scientific work in addition to teaching 24 hours per week.
'Making the research and publication of academic papers a mandatory activity for teachers order to achieve promotion and other benefits is a terrible and wrong policy and could render teachers unable to teach,' he said on Saturday.
Your comments:
Not just teachers-students too should be encouraged to write scientific papers. But I'm not holding out hope.
Greg Daru
In Indonesia, it seems, government ministries dream up policies with absolutely no consultation with those affected, or any consideration for the implications of the scheme (without any scientific research, one might say). It just seems like a good idea at the time and none of the minister's underlings have the courage to tell him or her how ridiculous it is.
It reminds me of that proposed regulation requiring foreigners to pass an Indonesian language test. Nice in theory, I suppose.
Marsilla Dwei Cohen
This government policy is a classic example of don't-do-as-I-do, do-as-I-say. Teachers here are poorly qualified, by global standards, so how can you expect them to write scientific work?
Tommo
Many teachers in developed countries would struggle to write a proper academic paper without a lot of support. This is like some of the 'good ideas' that come from the Education Ministry in my own country ' very good intentions, but not well thought-through.
A far better way would be to introduce university courses that teachers can study part-time. This would also benefit the universities, as they could in turn learn from the teachers.
Maxplus
The vast majority of teachers in developed countries couldn't produce meaningful scientific papers if you put a gun to their head. It's strange that most expat posters are so critical of the teachers (they love bashing Indonesians), without questioning the purpose of producing endless papers. Teachers in most countries have undergraduate degrees ' what type of meaningful research paper would they be able to write?
Weilim
'If a teacher has never been to a library, then what kind of scientific work could he or she produce?'
What kind of teacher doesn't go to the library every so often to do research?
Are teachers that don't do research (whether professional development or for lessons) people that parents want teaching their children?
Parents really do need to step up to ensure their children have a better future. It's not too much to ask teachers to be role models for their students, and at a minimum do what is expected of them, if they want promotion.
Kids read these newspaper articles too ' they are surely not getting a good impression of the level of education they are receiving, nor of the quality of their educators.
It is not uncommon in most countries for teachers to do extra activities in their own time, including writing articles, in order to obtain pay-rises and promotions.
Willo
The national educational needs a radical overhaul. More emphasis on science, math and languages is essential for the development of the nation and for the development of tomorrow's teachers, doctors, scientists, architects, engineers, etc.
A little critical thinking would go a long way to improving the perceived IQs of a number of the nation's political representatives and leaders.
To be fair to the teachers, however, I suppose that the 24 hours of teaching per week, as quoted, applies to actual teaching itself and does not take into account extracurricular duties, administration and marking duties.
However, I really am profoundly concerned that the vast majority of teachers are unable to write academic papers or scientific works. How did they get approved as teachers in the first place?
May Ling
Teachers should want to improve their performance, and with not too much strain could study a scientific subject of their choice. What about climate change, which we all need to know about?
David
