TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of Research and Development Agency at the Ministry of Education and Culture, Totok Suprayitno, asserted that the replacement of the national examination or UN (Ujian Nasional) is not an experimental program.

“Changing the format of UN into the minimum competency assessment and character survey is not a trial because we have got the program’s embryo since long ago,” said Totok during a discussion in Jakarta, Tuesday, December 17.

Totok said the ministry had drafted the basic of the program dubbed Competency Assessment for Indonesian Students (AKSI), which had been used to monitor the quality of national and regional education.

“We have faith that such assessment is based on the principle because education is not only about mastering contents but also the children’s way of thinking,” Totok added.

The replacement of the UN is one of the four education concepts of 'Merdeka Belajar' announced by Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim.

The implementation of the minimum competency assessment and character survey will be begun in 2021 for students in 4th grade of elementary school, 8th grade of junior high school, and 11th grade of senior or vocational high school. The program will assess students’ literacy and numerical competence, as well as their character.

The national examination for 2020 will be held as usual. “For the next one year, we will prepare the model of the new programs,” Totok said.

ANTARA