Activist Shocked by Indonesian Children`s Mathematical Illiteracy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An activist of the National Movement to Eradicate Mathemathical Illiteracy, Fasli Djalal expressed his disappointment upon the math illiteracy of Indonesian children. He referred to the research held by a researcher of the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Lant Pritchett.

“I was surprised, angered by it, sad, embarrassed, and also in the same time felt guilty. According to Pritchett, and it was clearly stated in a table in the book that it would need 317 years for Indonesian children to equal the thinking capabilities of children from nations included in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD),” said Fasli in a written statement on Sunday.

Pritchett’s book entitled 'Rebirth of Education, Schools Ain't Learning' analyzed the time needed for children in developing nations upon equaling those that live in OECD countries. The analysis used the PISA test which is Program for International Student Assessment from the year 2000 to 2012 subjecting the studies of people from 15 years old.

“I said that it is impossible since every year, dozens and hundreds of Indonesian students win numerous international Olympics,” said Fasli.

However, Fasli was thankful that the head of PUSPENDIK at the Ministry of Education implemented several programs upon training teachers to be able to teach higher order thinking skills (HOTS). This proved to be an improvement the following year in 2015 after PISA Indonesia showed a significant score improvement.

"It's time for all of us, in any capacity, to take part in supporting the Movement for the Eradication of Mathematical Illiteracy. So, God willing, it takes only one generation for our children to match the level of sophistication of the average OECD children," Fasli continued.

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI