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High flyer in some subjects, Nadiem fails to make grade in basic course work
Although a lot of his policies were deemed innovative and revolutionary, observers have pointed out that, during his almost five-year term in office, Nadiem still failed to address fundamental problems that have blighted the country's education system for decades.
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Education, Culture, Research and Technology Minister Nadiem Anwar Makarim (right) takes a selfie during the 2024 Education Day celebration at Indonesia Arena stadium in Senayan, Jakarta on May 3, 2024. (Antara/Erlangga Bregas Prakoso)
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ince his appointment as the education, culture, research and technology minister in 2019, Nadiem Makarim has rolled out numerous policies that have taken many by surprise.
Although a lot of his policies were deemed innovative and revolutionary, observers have pointed out that, during his almost five-year term in office, Nadiem still failed to address fundamental problems that have blighted the country's education system for decades.
One of Nadiem's very first moves as a minister was introducing the Merdeka Belajar (independent learning) curriculum, which aims to develop more flexible and effective methods for teachers with the focus of character building and boosting basic competencies in literacy and numeracy.
A high-ranking official at the ministry, Anindito Aditomo, told The Jakarta Post previously that Indonesia was facing a learning crisis due to the low literacy rate; students were still struggling to even understand the meaning of any excerpt they read.
Read also: Nadiem cancels university tuition hike
While new students were forced to immediately start learning science or social studies in the first week of school under the previous curriculum, the Merdeka Belajar curriculum introduced by Nadiem allowed teachers to strengthen students’ literacy skills during the first one or two months of the school year.
The curriculum further gives teachers flexibility to structure classes to better suit different learning styles.
