DPR Backs Nadiem Makarim's Plan to Halt National Exam

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy head of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission X, Dede Yusuf Macan Effendi, put his weight behind Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim's plan to evaluate the system of the national examination. He opined the standardization of the program was kind of dread for several regions, especially those located far from urban areas.

“There are many factors behind the national exam standardization that is not comprehensive, such as the geographical location, infrastructure, and others,” Dede told Tempo, Thursday, November 28.

Albeit the support, the Democrat politician questioned the minister in light of the replacement. “[Nadiem] may change the system, but what’s the substitute?” he said.

According to the former deputy governor of West Java, the system substitute must be studied thoroughly, for instance, national exam based on the school level. Dede hoped it would not burden students by taking extra classes in order to achieve the designated level.

The plan of the dismissal of national examination has not been discussed by the minister to the DPR Commission X. Nadiem only conveyed his three priority programs, namely deregulations, simplifying the bureaucracy, and character development.

“I do not know whether the plan is included in the deregulation,” Dede said, adding that Nadiem Makarim demanded a month to manage the internal administration of the ministry before holding another meeting with the House Commission X.

A source of Tempo at the Ministry of Education and Culture said that the government was making an assessment to change the national exam and a national-based school exam because of the poor quality of education. “The ministry plans to announce it next week,” he said.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI | KORAN TEMPO