TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The decreasing scores of the Computer-Based National Exam (UNBK) this year is seen from the average score of junior high school exams from 54.25 in 2017 to 51.08 in 2018.
Minister of Education and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, explained that there is a change of difficulty quality of the questions for the national exam this academic year.
Ministry of Education implements a high order thinking skills (HOTS) system. Unfortunately, the curriculum system in Indonesia is largely still using the method of memorization.
According to observers and educational activists, Najeela Shihab, in practice, there are still many teachers who teach students with the method of memorization.
“Children who are accustomed to the lower order thinking skills system, then faced with the exam with HOTS standards will certainly find it difficult," she said on May 29 afternoon.
In fact, continued Najeela, to develop the ability of HOTS in children only requires continuity.
"The important thing is that children are often trained to think critically, whether at school or at home."
According to Najeela, there are still many stages that must be addressed until finally, Indonesian children are ready to enter the HOTS method.
“Within a school year, a lot of learning topics are given to children. Judging from this, it is impossible to apply the learning given in real life, and in the end, it causes the culture of memorizing the subject given."
In fact, Najeela explained that to sharpen HOTS on the children besides being done in a sustainable manner, also takes time. Children cannot expect to understand and solve problems with HOTS standards.
“So now the question is, whether the current strategy is being applied right?” said Najeela.
What should be the main concern is actually the ability of the teacher itself. It is highly related and influential.
"How does the teacher at school teach? Are children encouraged to always ask? Always think critically?" she said.
In essence, according to Najeela, there are still many steps that should be addressed first. So in the future, students are able to understand and overcome the exam with HOTS standard given.
ANASTASIA PRAMUDITA DAVIES
