Teachers Rank Minister Nuh Low

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta: The Indonesian Federation of Teachers (FSGI) gives a red report card on the performance of the Minister of Education and Culture Mohammad Nuh. In their eyes, it is a mistake for the government to impose their will on changing the curriculum."Instead of changing the curriculum, better change the minister," said Secretary General Retno Listyarti at ICW Office in South Jakarta, on Dec. 27. Such an action is not a panacea for the chronic disease suffered by the education system in Indonesia.Imposing the new curriculum in July 2013 is a form of violence. Teachers are actually the important issue to be addressed. Since the reforms started, the quality of education in Indonesia continues to decline. It is so bad that it is reportedly below Vietnam.FSGI recommends the government to stop immediately the various educational policies that are project-oriented. Education should be oriented towards increasing the capacity of students, teachers, principals, and school superintendents.He pointed out that in 2008 the Ministry issued a procurement policy to purchase digital books by buying the copyrights to books for 15 years. This project costs Rp 125 million. However, for next year the government is allocating Rp 10 trillion for the procurement of new books and distributing them free of charge.When he visited Tempo on Dec. 26, Minister Nuh said that he had actually not wanted to change the curriculum. But, if he did not, then one generation, that was a bonus in Indonesia's demography, would be lost.In accordance with population growth, from 2010 to 2035 Indonesia is experiencing a demographic bonus. Unfortunately, based on an evaluation by the Ministry, the existing curriculum is not able to prepare the next generations in the coming three decades."If we do not seize the day, at stake will be about 20 million children who will be lost or one year of learning moment," said Nuh. He picked the number 20 million from the four levels of education that will use the 2013 curriculum, namely grades 1, 4, 7 and 10.So there will be four levels of education that will miss the opportunities to become creative and ready to face the challenges of the times. The 2013 curriculum, on the other hand, is expected to encourage students to have enquiring and logical minds, to experiment, and to communicate their opinions."This momentum, if you do not seize it, then you will lose out," he said. That is why the Ministry has attempted to create a curriculum that can be used not only during the period a minister is in power. "I think it can be good for 15 years," said Nuh.ARIS ANDRIANTO | SUNDARI