Education as Punishment

Wow dude! What a topic we have here! Yeah yeah yeah, the education I'm talking about is our education: Indonesian education. Also, the reasons why we need to reform our education as soon as possible because education is one important part of someone's life.

Education, the definition..

The definition of education, the one I quote on wikipedia, is process of teaching and learning of knowledge, proper conduct, and technical competency. It's a great definition, it might be a short one but it covers all elements of education. So, let's start looking at our education system. Shall we?

Teaching and Learning..

This is my opinion, Indonesian teaching is regarded one of the best in the world. I tasted it myself, Indonesian and American fifth graders are no match, we can beat their mathematical skill. Yes, Indonesia teaching is one of the best, but only in the level of technical analysis of the subject. No lab, no observing!

We won many medals and honorable mentions in math or physics world olympics. Isn't that fascinating guys? We achieved great things in the top level. So why we rarely win chemist or biology competition? It's because we only taught to solve technical analysis, calculation, and equation problem. We can't excel in biology and chemistry because we aren't thought to do field analysis and lab works. The system only taught us the theory. Isn't easier for you to remember the theory if you have already done it with your own hands?

Teaching and learning, it says it all. Teaching and learning is a two way communication. A teacher teaches the students, and at the same time learns many things from the students. Not in Indonesia, our teachers know all things so they're undebatable. It's like in the military world, the teacher is our general and we are all private, do what the general told us to do. That's why, asking is one of the most reluctant things to do in the class for many (not all) Indonesian students. Coz, we're not encourage to!

Two plus two is Four. The square root of sixteen is four. Ninety six divided by twenty four is also four. There are 1001 ways to Rome, why should we stuck on one way? We aren't motivated to be creative, our exams will be graded high if we write on the teacher's notes in the class.

Our teachers' orientation in grading is also unique. We, Indonesian students, are stupid but sometimes we're lucky. So they start grading from zero and each correct answer gets some points. That's why it's so hard to reach a 100. In other countries, students are considered smart but sometimes unlucky. So, they start grading at a 100, and each mistake gets a minus, and another mistake gets a minus. That's why, the lowest score in the class is no lower from 90.

History Subject..

We are great nation, we are a rich nation speaking of its long history. But do students understand our history and all it's messages? Yes, but partially. We might be wondering why this dilemma kills us..

It all started in the class. First, to understand history we need to read and then we can discuss it in the class. Not many Indonesian like to read, it's not our common habit. Reading is like an obligation, that's why we're so reluctant to read. Reading is not a need for Indonesian. In many countries, book is like a meal, you need them everyday. Books are supplements of our daily life, they might say. In the morning before activities in school begin, students are given time to read whatever they wanna read. Simple isn't?

Second, our students tend to memorize the lesson. History gives more knowledge and messages if it's not only memorized but also understood. So why do Indonesian students memorize the sucject? Because, the teacher told us to, because that's what the exam requires. Let me give you an example..

Indonesian history exam:
When did Indonesia gain independence?

American history exam:
On the fourth of July 1776, United States of America gain independence. In your opinion what is the message of the declaration?

Indonesia exam needs an exact answer or you failed to get a point. American exam needs your opinion, so we need to understand and be creative in answering. That's why, Indonesian students hates history subject, and the aftermath is that they hate the history as general. Truthfully, a great nation is a nation where history and culture are nurtured in every citizen.

Education is a Need

Education is not a punishment, it is a need for all of us. International institutions regard education as one of human's basic needs beside food, shelter, and health. It's so basic that no human can survive living on earth without any education. And don't say that education is only attained in the class, No. Every interaction we make is part of education, because we can learn and get knowledge from it, even in the simplest form.

While our education system in Indonesia reforming and it will take a long time, let's start from ourselves. Let's be concern about our education that when we're lucky enough to get a proper education, we make the best out of it. There are many unlucky ones in Indonesia, those who need the lucky ones to provide a system for them. Let's make our education better for the future of our nation.