Is National Exam The Best Way To Determine Graduation?

  

    Indonesia National Exam is one of the methods that need to be passed through by the last semester students in Indonesia. This test which is a standard evaluation system of primary and secondary education in Indonesia which tries to equate the quality of education levels  is held annually, usually between March  and May.  
So is this year, the National Exam is held for SMA (senior high school) and SMP (junior high school) students while for SD (elementary) students it will be held in the beginning of May. During the past years, National Exam was held successfully, without any serious problems. But it doesn’t seem so in this year. In 2013, the implementation of the National Exam seemed very disorganized, screwed, and was probably the worst ever. Vice chief of Commission 10 of Indonesian Parliament, Syamsul, even stated in okezone.com, that the implementation of National Exam in 2013 was a total failure. Why did this happen? The failure of National Exam (UN) in 2013 was caused by three reasons.

    First, the failure of National Exam (UN) in 2013 was caused by the Government’s selfishness. The government forces themselves to make twenty packages of questions. So, everyone in one class will receive different questions from the other. In 2013  National Exam, there were only five packages of questions  compared to the previous years with only about two or three packages of questions, which is the first time in Indonesian history. Well, it’s a development, though, but if the Government isn’t ready for it, then they shouldn’t. The impact is the questions and the answers are not synchronized and seems perfunctory. It’s very unfair for a student who knows the right answers but forced to choose the wrong answers because there’s no right ones. Moreover, the Government also makes questions with a high level of difficulty, while the standard of education in each school is not necessarily equal. Once again, it’s very unfair. We all know that the Government is trying to develop the education quality in Indonesia.But let’s sit and muse for a moment. Like in the remote areas of Indonesia, the schools’ standard in those areas is very low, because of the shortage of teachers and educational materials. What if they encounter a very difficult exam, while they are actually still in below the required standard? The Government should think about this before they impose their desire.

    Second, the failure of National Exam (UN) 2013 was caused by the Government’s lack of preparation. You must have known about the delay of National Exam in eleven provinces in Indonesia, right? It was a hot issue for days. Again, this is the first time in Indonesian history. This was a serious problem because the Government had broken the rules they made. It is said that the implementation of the National Exam should be carried out at the same time and the same date in Indonesia. But what’s the fact? In eleven provinces, which consist of South Sulawesi, Bali, Gorontalo, West Nusa Tenggara, South Kalimantan, East Nusa Tenggara, East Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, South East Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, and Central Sulawesi, the National Exam was held on April 18, 2013. In the meantime, the actual date was on April 15, 2013. Why did this delay happen? The Minister of Education, Muhammad Nuh stated, that it was because of some technical errors, especially in distributing the questions packages to the East region of Indonesia. And why were these packages shipped late? Back to previous, because of the Government’s lack of preparation. They sent the original documents to the printing companies just 25 days before the D-day. It should’ve been sent at least 60 days or more before the D-day, to prevent the worst possibilities. This is very embarrassing, disgraceful, and very inappropriate. The Government should take responsibility, not only an apology, regarding this serious problem.

    Last, the failure of National Exam (UN) 2013 was caused by terrible management by the Ministry of Education. As the writer experiences it, this was the worst management of National Exam ever. Why? There were so many technical errors. There was a case on the second day of the physics exam. When the questions sheets were distributed, one student checked it. But it was a lame, lack of numbers of questions. So she exchanged the sheet, which meant that she must exchange the answer sheet too because the questions and the answer sheets were attached together. When she got the new sheets, she found out that the answer sheet was faded. She got panic, but the supervisor said it was okay. And this bad thing also happened to her friend. He had already answered about half of the whole questions, but then the answer sheet was ripped. So, he was forced to exchange the answer sheet, which meant that he had to exchange the question sheet too. And he was working on it from the very beginning, without the time extension. And there were many more technical errors, such as the one that happened in Garut, West Java. The students got the wrong package of questions. They got the English sheets, while that day, the subject was Bahasa. Another error that always happens every year, is the leakage of answer key. This is not the new thing, and it frequently happens in some areas of our beloved country. Apparently, the culture of cheating during the test has become epidemic. Sadly, the Indonesian government never seems to alleviate this problem successfully. 

    In brief, the Government should take responsibility for this catastrophe. The failure of National Exam in 2013 should become a lesson for the future. Instead, if needed, just remove the National Exam because it’s very unfair if the graduation depends on the National Exam. In addition, it is very unfair if students have to study for three years, but determined only by four days to pass? It would be better if the graduation is determined by education standardization, like in the USA. Of course, the students will not be depressed, and they will not cheat anymore. Go Indonesian education!


By Shofia Hanifa

Facts About Education in Indonesia : Social Major Vs Science Major

 

    For many years, high school students in Indonesia are strictly limited to three majors – social, science and language classes. The main purpose of this division is to make the students focus on certain subjects that they are interested in, since high school students are being prepared to continue their study in university after they graduate. This system is proven very effective to produce more competent students in a specific major. However, as time passes by, the number of students that are interested in joining language class is gradually decreasing because most schools only open the two majors. In addition, since the students are now more familiar with the remaining two majors, they start to distinguish between students from science class and those from social class. Students from science class are considered better than those of social class. There are some misunderstandings among students and parents or even teachers who consider social major is the second level major which consists of 'the outcast'. Social class has never become the first choice of the majority of Indonesian high school students based on several reasons such as peer pressure, family's demand, and a matter of prestige.

     Peer pressure among students can influence a student in deciding the major in high school. When students are not confident enough, they are more likely to follow what their friends choose. They don't have the courage to choose social major because they are afraid of being mocked or underestimated by their peers or classmates. Even after they choose to go to social major they are still treated as average students. This fact makes them more thoughtful in joining social major. Peer pressure can also affects students if they don't have clear and solid plans for their future. This will lead to the thought that choosing majors in high school is not very important to consider. They are letting their friends decide which major is the best for them because they haven't figured out what they are capable of doing or which subjects they are good at. These students end up choosing the same major as their friends do because they think following what others are planning can also work for them. This is obviously wrong because when an individual has a clear plan for the future he or she should go on their own path and work hard for it. Unless they do it the other way around, undoubtedly they will be facing many problems of finding ways to survive.  Another thing that may cause a student give in to peer pressure is how well they can adapt in a new environment. If a student is so used to his own comfort zone, he won't even think twice and easily choose the major that his close friends take. A possible scenario that might happen is when a student has problems of getting along well with his new friends, he will be afraid if he chooses friends of opposite majors as his close friends because he doesn’t want to feel being neglected and has no friends.  So, a good preparation for the transition from a teenager's comfort zone to a new and strange surrounding is a very important thing to do. There is no doubt that peer pressure is a very common thing that happens among teenagers in this case. However, in fact it all depends on the  person whether he wants to  give in to the demands of his friends or not.

     Demands from family may also cause a student to choose science class even though he is unwilling to. The reason behind the high demand of parents who want their children to study in science class is when either the father or the mother used to have a dream that have not been fulfilled yet. So, this kinds of parents hope their children make their dream come true and will do whatever it takes to make sure their children fulfill their past dreams.  Such parents set a very high hope for their children to reach the brighter future than they could do. Not wanting to disappoint their parents, the children usually do what their parents have told them. Another scenario that might happen is when the father wants his son to be a doctor so badly even though the child wants to be a lawyer. Being a doctor means that the child has to go to science class but in fact his academic performance is in social class. This can lead to misunderstanding between the parents and the children. Final decision in choosing the major in school can also be easily influenced by the relatives of the family who are successful in a certain job. For example, if many members or relatives of a family are doctors then the child is forced to choose science major in order to be a doctor even though he is unwilling and incapable academically. In this situation, the child is often afraid to speak up because it will be against his family’s wish and hope. Since the child is lack of motivation from the very beginning, when he goes into science major he will get bad scores and frustrated or depressed.

     Parents' lack of information about today's education system is also the causes their high demand on their children. Many parents still have an old-fashioned way of thinking. The parents still rely on rumors and false information that says that science class are better than social class or use their past knowledge about this two majors which are probably not true anymore. They are afraid that when their children choose social class, the children will have a hard time figuring out where to go for college. The parents think that choosing social class will limit the options of the majors to choose in a university entrance test. It is because a high school graduate from social class can only choose social majors too while someone from science class can choose all majors in a university entrance test. This is not completely true because even though it is possible for science students to go to faculties of social studies, they are going to have problems adjusting to the way things work in social faculties because they are used to learning numbers and calculating. A good communication between the parents and the children should be established so that parents and the children can reach an understanding. Parents’ understanding of what their children want is a very important factor to prevent the children from being forced and pressured after joining certain major of class.

     The last but not least about the reason why science class is always the first option among the high school students in Indonesia is simply a matter of prestige. There is a wrong assumption in society who label students from social class are “the outcast” which means that only students with low academic scored will go to social class. This labeling will change the mindset of a student. According to a sociologist Edwin M. Lemeret, or is often called ‘the labeling theory’, an individual's behavior can turn deviant from the process of labeling (giving nicknames or stamps that the society constantly telling him). There must be some explanation or socializing steps from the authority to the community since it is an essential thing to do. These socializing steps can go in two ways: the psychological and sociological. The psychological is done by letting every individual send suggestion for them and feels if they are put up in the same situation they will feel guilty or sinful by doing this.  The second way, the sociological way is done for the educational authority to give routine socializing steps to the wide range of community. Another consideration is the graduates of science class have more job opportunities than those of social class. A survey by Senior High School 1 (SMA 1) in Yogyakarta indicated that a tendency of their students who prefer science class is because this class is considered more prospective in college in job opportunities.  On the other hand, the graduates of social class are considered less prospective for their future. A matter of prospect is not determined by how good or bad a particular major is, but it is measured by the intention, interests, and capability of the students. If a student can optimize his ability in what he is interested in, he is more likely to have a brighter future. A science student is believed to be able to cross the lane and take a social-related jobs, unlike social students who can only choose the job relevant to their study. However, a social class student has a much bigger advantage because he learns the basics in high school. For example, if a science student wants to be an accountant and he has only decides this when he has already been in college, then he might encounter many problems along the way. He might be good at counting, but is he good enough to learn all the formulas for accounting in a short time? Students also prefer science class  because they find the subjects more challenging. They have this idea in mind that social students are left behind because the subjects to study don’t require a lot of challenges and can be learned even without a teacher. In fact, this is totally wrong, social students are able to think critically and analyze a certain case based on social facts that are happening in our society. Our society has always measured an individual’s intelligence on how well he or she is good at mathematics or physics, even though there is much more beyond that. How about their ability to interact with other people? How about some knowledge in business? Social students are challenged in their on way to give their opinions about social life. It might sounds easy to think about, but in reality it is not. In fact the truth is both science and social class are at the same level so they should be treated equally.

     In conclusion, success in education is not determined by whether or not the students choose science or social majors. Both majors are equal and a particular major (class) is not better than the other one. A success is determined by an individual intention, interest and capability. Choosing between major or social class can be tough but don’t let your friends or your family or friends tell you what you should choose. It's your own education, your own choice, and for your own future!




By : Haafizhah Nadia

Why Reading Books Is A Good Habit

      Most people think that reading books is a boring activity. Many people prefer to talk with someone to share something than reading books. They believe that talking with someone is more fun and interesting to do than reading books. The most common reason for this is that many people have highly social nature. So, they like talking or chatting with someone than reading books. For example, many students in class usually talk with someone during recess. They think that chatting with someone is more interesting than reading books. They usually  read books only when the teacher gives tasks to read some books. Actually, reading books has a lot of benefits. Reading books has at least three benefits : broadening knowledge, improving writing skills, and reducing stress.

      First, reading books can broaden knowledge. There is so much general knowledge that we have to know, from psychology, computer, to solar system, etc. But, the problem is that we often don’t learn about it formally. We must learn it individually from many sources. Nowadays, there are many sources to find. Most people usually try to broaden their knowledge by watching television or browsing on the internet. In fact, reading books is one of good sources to learn about something. From books, we can know not only about general explanations, but also additional explanations that might not be able to find it from the internet or from television. For example, by reading science books, we can know many things in the world, such as about viruses and bacteria that are very dangerous and useful for human being. Reading books also can exercise our brain. So, it can increase our IQ points. Nowadays, there are many ways to increase our IQ points. Most people usually try to play some musical instrument to increase IQ points. They believe that playing musical instrument is more relaxing than others. Actually, by reading books, especially mystery books, our brain would be exercised. With high IQ points, our analyzing skills will be higher than before. Reading books also can broaden knowledge to solve many problems based on facts, not only based on many opinions. New information that we read and our background knowledge and experience can improve our problem solving skills.

      Second, reading books can improve writing skills. Books can be good source of ideas to write short story. When we have no ideas to write about a certain topic for writing, reading books is one of good ways to get good ideas. Reading books will give us some ideas that we may not have discovered by ourselves. Reading also helps to clarify the difficult aspects or areas of the topics. Reading exposes us many new words and phrases that we can learn to use in writing that also can increase our vocabulary skills. Our vocabulary and background knowledge on the topic increases with reading. Not only vocabulary skills, but reading books extensively also helps us discover new patterns of organizing compositions for an interesting piece of writing. Through reading, we are able to find out more about special interests. Then, write and put all the ideas that we have learned into a piece of writing. During practice, you may use some books for guidance. Remember that we are not a professional writer. We must read some books to guide us to make a good piece of writing. We also get to learn more about target reader's background knowledge about the particular topic.

      Last but not least, reading books can reduce stress. Besides watching movies, playing online games, and listening to music, reading books can make us forget our problems for some time. Reading books can be a wonderful and healthy way to escape from the stress of everyday life. By reading books, we allow ourselves to be invited into a literary world that distracts us from our daily stress. Reading can even relax your body by lowering your heart rate and easing the tension in your muscles. If we want to read something that is useful for reducing stress, make sure to choose books which are interesting and have simple plots. A book that we want to read does not have to be on the list of “best-seller”. Reading only helps reduce stress if we pick something that won't upset us. Reading newspaper may not be the best choice if it makes us feel angry or confused. There are many examples of books that might help us reduce stress for some time, such as novels and comics. For example, for someone who likes science and fantasy books, he may want to read book which has complex plot, and science fiction is a good choice to read. If we don’t want to read many words, comic is the best idea. Many genres of novels or comics that we can choose, such as comedy, romance, horror, science fiction, thriller, fantasy, etc.

      In brief, reading books is a good habit for us. Do not always think that reading books is boring and make us feel confused and dizzy. There are many ways to make us to feel more relax while we reading books, such as reading book with illustrations and colors, reading interesting novels or comics which are based on the synopsis, reading interesteing books with short plots, etc. Always remember not to judge a book based on its cover. Sometimes, an eye-catching and colorful cover does not always have a good story in it. Choose books wisely from the bookstore before buying them.

By Tamariska Priskila

Why Online Learning Is More Promising Than Traditional Learning

   Online learning is a method of transferring educational information which makes good use of  computer technology, computer network and internet instead of in a physical classroom. 
So, it allows the learners to learn through the computer without having to physically take a lesson or a lecture in class. Online learning was first introduced by the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign by using computer-assisted instruction called PLATO. Since then, online learning has developed from time to time. The system of online learning is intended to extend communication between the lecturers and the teachers and the students in the process of learning outside of their college or school. Therefore, online learning is better than face-to-face learning because of several reasons such as having better system, using more interesting method, and giving student-friendly materials.

     The system of online learning is getting better from time to time. First, time and space for the learning is more flexible. Since learning is not limited by space and time, students can learn anywhere and anytime. For example, online learning offers students the opportunity to study whenever it fits into their lives -whether 5 am or earlier, after lunch hour, or late at night. Students no longer have to worry about missing classes, because online learning allows students to fit education into their lives instead of re-organizing their lives around education. Second, chance for learning is more effective and efficient. In conventional learning, the students are not always easy to attend the class. They may have to commute long distances, battle with health problems that make it hard to go out or any other things. Online learning makes education more convenient. Third, skills and competencies are developed. Online learning requires students to be active, creative, innovative, and curious.

     Online learning uses more interesting methods than conventional learning. First, it uses internet. According to a research, there is worldwide growth in the access to the internet from 250 million worldwide internet users a decade ago to 2.08 billion internet users in 2011. In Indonesia, the use of the internet is well supported by the ministry of education and culture in cooperation with PT Telkom for the provision of free Wifi to 300.000 schools in a program called IndiSchool.  So, by just connecting to a Wifi in their schools students can search anything through the internet. Second, it uses video and audio  broadcasting. The use of video is very effective, especially for science subject. For example, it uses a method with a digital video through a server or web-based options such as video streaming from YouTube, Skype, Adobe Connect, and webcams. With video, the learners have more control over the information they receive and have additional opportunity to learn something better because they can rewind, fast-forward, and re-play the contents as many time as needed. Third, it uses CD/DVD-room to give students the opportunity ‘to travel  to remote places’ outside the classroom without leaving school.

     Online learning also gives student-friendly materials both local and international materials. When teaching,  teachers are often limited to sources in the classroom. But now, with the ability to connect to sources in a community and around the world, online learning can open a new perspective on teaching and learning. Students can access to the library and database of local materials without limits. It can help students connect with friends located in different schools or colleges or even in different countries. They can interact with different cultures, exchange information and learn from each other. Second, online learning has accessible materials. When learning activities are provided online, students no longer need to worry about accessing the materials. They can complete the assignments during their productive times. They can choose to download the materials, readings or do practice. Third, online learning has updated materials.  The growth in the use of the internet has pushed the sites of online learning to become media sharing of learning materials.

     In conclusion, online learning gives a lot of benefits for students. First of all, it is convenient since the students can learn anywhere and anytime through the internet. So, online learning should be widely used by students especially in Indonesia.

By : Nurul Dita Nadhilah

True Facts About Education System in Finland

    
     If you have a chance to study abroad, which country are you going to choose? Maybe some of you will choose USA, Germany, or Japan because those countries have good educational systems. But do you know which country actually has the best educational system in the world? The answer is Finland.
Based on a survey from OECD through a test called PISA (Program for International Students Assessment) in 2006, Finland got the highest rank. As we know, most schools in many countries have a tendency that makes the students stressful because of the learning method. Unlike other countries, the learning method in Finland is quiet relax, but still effective and make students excel in the school subjects. Education system in Finland is really effective for student development based on several reasons, such as providing fun learning, giving freedom to students to learn according to their interest, and having simple and flexible programs.

      Providing fun learning process is one of the keys to reach the effectiveness of learning. If the learning process is mediocre, the students will be bored and lose their enthusiasm. At the end, they can't understand the lesson well. There are some ways that have been applied in Finland to make the learning process more fun. First, teachers do not continuously give lectures. Can you imagine sitting in a class and just listen to your teacher talking for a long time, it will make you bored and sleepy, right? Such thing won't be happen in Finland because the ones who are more active in class are the students, not the teachers. At that point, teachers do not control the way the students study, but the students choose their own way to study. Second, there are study groups among students. This learning process will be more interesting than study individually, because they interact more with others. Besides, studying in groups also help them to learn faster. Some students have difficulties to understand something or solve the problems alone, and sometimes it wastes their time because in the end they can't find the answer of to the problems. However, they can exchange ideas with each other to save their time. Third, students have more chances to practice. They do not only sit in class and learn about the theory, but they mostly practices in the learning process such as by exploring the nature in order to understand the lessons.

      Some people think the students need to study and study continuously to be smart. But in fact, such method is not as effective as people understand, If the students spend their
time to study without taking a rest, it can make them depressed. So, it is better to give them freedom to learn according to their interest.  There are some examples of this case that have been applied in Finland. First, there are less examinations and tests. The most important thing is the learning process, not the result. Teachers are the ones who really know about their students’ ability. So, it is not too important to many exams test like mid-term test, final exams, or national exams because teachers can evaluate them better through classroom activities. Second, there are less homework. Giving them too much homework can decrease their time to enjoy their hobbies, and gather with family. There are less school hours and longer rest time. For elementary and middle school students, they only have 4-5 hours  per day to study in school, and they take a rest every 45 minutes when study. Those things can make them more productive because their brain will work better and more focus. 

     Finland has applied a simple and flexible education program in order to make the students do not feel stressed and enjoy studying. If the program is simple and flexible, absolutely the learning process will be easier to do. There are some programs that have been applied. First, every school has the freedom to develop their own curriculum. In this case, the government just gives basic curriculum to be used as a guidance to every school. Moreover, the student's parents can also participate in arranging the school curriculum. Second, the students in Finland can choose what subject they are interested in since middle school. Most students from various countries have common problems, namely they are lazy to go to school. It is because they have to learn something they don't like. But such things won't happen in Finland. Third, the students can choose the place to learn where they want. Students should not always study in class, but they can study outside the class so the learning process becomes more flexible and comfortable.

     To summarize, because of those several reasons, Finland has successfully become a country with the best educational system in the world. This system is worth trying to the other countries mainly for our country. The reason is that in the near future and in long run, it will bring many benefits toward the students.  This system creates generations with remarkable abilities both in academic and non-academic aspects.

By : Nura Hadziyah

Let's Say "No" to Cheating

  

Have you ever cheated when you are doing an examination ? How do you feel ?  Comfortable? guilty?  or so-so?  Then, how about your scores? Is it higher than your smartest friend’s score? Or Is it higher than your friend’s score whom you have cheated from? Perhaps, most of students in this world assuredly ever do cheating in the quizzes, tests or examinations. According to Webster dictionary, cheating is an easy way  to Gain an advantage over or deprive of something by using unfair or deceitful methods . It is act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage especially in examinations.  Nowadays ,cheating has become a common habit among the students. They always have many ways  to do cheating in every  examinations which  is the purpose  is to get good grades in the examinations. Although  students have many ways of cheating to get good grades in the exam, it is prohibited by religious teaching and school regulation.

    There are many ways of cheating. The students usually practice that while they are doing an examination. First, by looking at other student’s answer sheet.  It is a usual way of cheating which is done by many students do that because it is simple, easy, and  small possibility of being detected by proctors. Second, by opening textbooks or notes. Actually cheating by opening textbooks is an easy way, but it is very risky because of bigger possibility of being detected by proctors. Third, by writing some notes or formulas in a very small piece of paper. Oftentimes, many students who are not ready to do the examination write some notes or formulas in a very small piece of paper because of the difficulty to remember the materials and the formulas. Thus, many students do the third way of cheating. The possibility of being detected is relatively small. Fourth , using cell phone to cheat. Sometimes, students use their phone to do cheating. They can capture some materials on book with the phone’s camera. So that, they should not use book if they want to do cheating. It is more practical than using the book. The other way of cheating is by browsing internet with cell phone . Browsing is the best way to cheating. Simply by typing certain keywords all of the required answer  will appear and the possibility of  being detected is  not too big.

   Occasionally, not only the teachers but also student’s parents often inquire the reason why  students do cheating during the examinations .  Apparently, there are three reasons why students do cheating. Lack of supervision during the exam is the first reason. The proctors oversee the students like giving the cold shoulder. It makes students can cheat successfully during the exam. Second , lack of confidence with their ability. Sometimes students think that they can not do well on a test, either because they are not smart enough, or they lack some skills they need. It creates a feeling that they will fail, and their only option to do well is to cheat. Third, unpreparedness when facing the exam. Students often feel like not ready to face the exam. They often procrastinate their time to study, so that when the d-day of the exam  is coming , they are not ready, and it makes they do cheating during the exam. Yet, the laziness and the difficulty of materials can also be the causes why students  not ready when facing the exam.

    In Addition, religious teaching  prohibit  to do cheating. In Islam, Cheating is sinful. Cheating is one of the major evils of the society. Although cheating sounds something very small, but the effect it leaves cannot be described. Allah dislikes cheating and the people who do it. In the Glorious Quran, Allah has warned in Surah Al-Mutafiin 83:1 that those who indulge in cheating of dire consequences.. Besides that, Islam teach us to be honest, because with honesty , Allah will reward the Heaven  (Quran Surah Al Araf 7:85 and  Surah Al Baqarah 2:9.)

    Like religious teaching especially in Islam, school regulations also prohibit students to do cheating.  The headmaster and the teachers are  mutually working together to handle  cheating problem by making rule to not do cheating during the examinations. If the students disobey that rule,  they will get punishment from school. The punishment like, deduction of scores when students are caught cheating in the examinations. Another punishment ,students will be labeled as cheaters. Not only the students who are cheating, but also their parents will really feel shameful. Of course,  it will cause emotional pressure to the students who do cheating because they get some mockery from their friends even their teacher. 

    To sum up, students have many ways of cheating to get good grades in the exam. Yet, religious teaching and school regulation prohibit the students to do cheating during the exams. It is better if the students do their examinations without cheating. Why? Because while they do the examinations without cheating, they can know their capability during the learning process, they will safely from deduction of scores and also safely from bad label as cheaters. Try to not procrastinate time to study, throw away the laziness and believe that God is always keep watching on us whenever we are, wherever we are. Those are the key to train ourselves to not cheating.  So ? say no to cheating.

 By : Desya Nadya Irawan

What Makes Indonesian Students Less Competitive Compared to Foreign Students?

   What is the meaning of 'competitiveness' in education? Competitiveness is when students are successful in education without doing any bad things to achieve the success. 
According to www.nasional.tempo.com, in 2015 there are some frauds in Indonesia national examination, such as leakage of questions and worse, there is teacher cooperation in this case, and many others. According to www.delsisamsumar.heck.in, brawls between junior high school students, high school and vocational school take place quite often, signifying the failure of implementation of the characteristics by the school. It is also the failure of community supervision. The failure of cultivation of religious values ​​at home. The failure of the government in managing education in Indonesia. There are three major causes why Indonesian students are less competitive comparing to foreign students, such as Indonesian parent’s parenting style, education system, and social system.

    The first cause is Indonesian parent’s parenting styles that are mostly wrong, such as spoiling children. A type of Indonesian parents who spoil their children with a good amount of money and let them manage the money usually done by affluent parents. That will make the spoiled child think they can do anything with the money without trying. Spoiling clearly is not a competitive mental. Spoiling can lead to the slowing the development of child’s potential. Another type of parents is the ones who think that their child can do anything without actually know what their child needs, child or teenager still need guidance from parents and parents have to develop their child’s potential to actually know what ability that the child has and support them. Child who has this type of parents may feel not facilitated and insecure to show their potential. Insecure is an uncompetitive mentality. One of the reasons why parents are not developing child's potential is because parents push their child based on parent’s ambition, this case is often happen. Pushed child feel they have no choice and take shortcuts which are usually bad, such as cheating, plagiarism, etc. Cheating and plagiarism are uncompetitive mental. Some types of Indonesian parents tend to not realize an uncompetitive individual comes from uncompetitive mental that they formed.

    The second cause is Indonesian education system that makes uncompetitive students. Indonesian curriculum seems to be one of the worst curriculum, especially the newest one. It can be categorized as bad curriculum because for example, it has the longest study hours, gives too much homework and students as if expected to be perfect in every school subject. Students will be stressed out and does anything to get a good final score, here, cheating is commonly found. Students expected to get good scores in every school subject, even though there are some subjects that they don’t like or even master. Indonesian schools expect the students to be perfect in every aspect even though actually 3 of 5 Indonesian teachers still are not qualified. Take a look at some public schools in Jakarta; it pushes the students to get good scores and worse, the unqualified teacher usually only care about the final result without knowing the process of learning. That means Indonesian education is still messed because it only pushes the students but don’t think about other aspects such as teacher’s quality and curriculum that may help the students to be competitive individual.

    The third cause is Indonesian social system that affects Indonesian students’ competitiveness. In Indonesia, especially in Java Island, where 58% of the populations live, social collaboration is common to be found. Social collaboration has become a culture and identity of Indonesia. Indonesian people accustomed to social collaboration that some of them are also accustomed to rely on other people. For example, some of Indonesian people usually ask other people to do obligation that they don’t like. People who accustomed to relying on other people, will be not independent to do something, this is uncompetitive mental. This social collaboration can be happened because sense of kinship.  In Indonesia, kinship can facilitate all the affairs. For example, in some cases, if Indonesian people want to apply for a job, they have to be familiar with the insider so they can easily get a job. Again, this formed a not independent and not want to take effort individual that is also an uncompetitive individual. Another social system is money talks. In Indonesia, money can also facilitate all the affairs, which have become a public secret. For example, if Indonesian people want to make a driver’s license and passport, they can pay other people to make the process quick and easy. This social system makes people want an instant process without doing an effort, this is uncompetitive mental. All of social system can lead to uncompetitive mental from generation to generation if Indonesian people can’t apply it properly.

    In summary, some aspects in Indonesian people’s daily life can take part of making uncompetitive student’s mentality. Those aspects need to be fixed to achieve Indonesian student’s competitive mentality that can also take part in the  country development.


By : Athaya Nadjla

45 Great Topics About Education

Topics :

1. Does technology help students to cheat even worse in school?

2. Should teachers be graded by their students?

3. Do high school students have more school assignments than in the past?

4. Should senior high school as well as university students be drug tested as a requirement for the entrance test?

5. Do you spend much time for diagnostic test as much as achievement test in school?

6. Should the 10 best students be given cash bonuses for their academic achievement?

7. Do you think all subjects you study  in school will be beneficial for your future?

8. Does physical exercise make students healthier?

9. Is Arts education still important for students of science class?

10. Should parents be informed by school about their students' achievement and attitude?

11. Do you think your school day is too long?

12. Do students expect to have a longer school calendar?

13. Do you think a failed student should
 be given chances to take a retest more than once?

14. Do you think school gives enough protection for their students from bullying?

15. Does bigger number of students in a class create more problems?

16. Do you think college degree is still necessary?

17. Should students in favorite schools pay less than students in ordinary schools?

18. Should government offer free education from elementary until university?

19. How important is preschool for students before entering elementary school?

20. Do you think teachers  should receive equal pay either they teach in state schools or private schools?

21. Should students in lower grades be punished physically by teachers?

22. What is the best way to handle students who misbehave in school?

23. Should students be allowed to skip classes if they are smart enough in school?

24. Should schools provide lunch for free?

25. Are students given chances for creativity at school?

26. Should students in senior high schools be exempted from home work?

27. Do you think much assignment to students in Indonesia make them cleverer?

28. Is it important for parents to know the academic performance of their children?

29. Should students be allowed to use cellphones during the class hours?

30. Should students be classified based on their academic performance in school?

31. Should your school offer student exchange with students from other countries?

32. Should students be allowed to work part time?

33. Should companies as well as government offer scholarship to any students regardless their economic backgrounds?

35. Should stricter punishment be given to students who are caught smoking in school areas?

36. Should playing traditional music be taught at schools?

37. What radio program is good for  student community radio?

38. What role students can play to help eradicate corruption practices?

39. Should any political parties be allowed to campaign in school areas?

40. What makes you proud of being an Indonesian student?

41. Do you think parents should give more freedom and time to their children to play around ?

42. Should extra curricular activities be changed into compulsory like other school subjects?

43. Should school apply strict rules to students even for minor mistakes such as tardiness?

44. School students be allowed to have weekly visits to other schools to avoid student brawls?

45. Should religious lesson still needed or even be lengthened in school ?

How Becoming Parallel Students Can Change Your Future

   Parallel rank is a rank that is created to sort students from highest to lowest levels based on their total grades and averages in their academic performance at the end of each semester.
Usually, a homeroom teacher will sum up and average his all homeroom students first. Then the teacher will share and discuss about them with other teachers so they will know who are among the top ten and who are in the last ranks. Students will know their positions in parallel rank after the counseling teacher tell them. The purpose of this parallel rank is actually to motivate students to study harder and to measure how effective is the learning process. However, many students think negative of it. They are apathetic to this parallel rank system because they think it is a kind of discrimination to those students who have low academic grades. Teachers will give special treatments only to top ten parallel rank students such as giving more attention and extra value while on the other side ordinary students will not get that special treatments. Although many students don’t care about their grades and parallel rank, some students would die hard to get in the top ten parallel rank, because they can be famous students in the school, have a greater opportunity  to enter state university without taking the entrance test and want to prove something to some people.

   Who does not want to be famous in Senior High School? Almost everyone answered no. Being famous is one of the spiritual needs that need to be met. For some students who want to be famous but have no special expertise such as not being good at sports or music, or being passive in the school organization, so getting in the top ten parallel rank is the right way to solve it. Teachers and friends will always talk about students who are in the top 10 parallel rank because they are considered to have above-average intelligence than others. Their intelligence will make them as exemplary students in the school that will make them famous. In addition, teachers will give them the privilege to join academic competitions such as the nationwide olympics of students, debate, scientific work competitions etc. From joining the competitions, they can get a lot of experience, prizes, trophies or medals that could make them even more famous in school.

   Almost every senior high school students` dream after graduation is to enter their favorite state universities. Basically the state university entrance system is divided into three: the invitation line (without taking the entrance test), the written entrance test line and independent test line. Many students will work very hard to get the first choice because they do not want to bother themselves in preparing for a written test or an independent-test. This non-written line is called SNMPTN (Indonesian acronym of Seleksi Nasional Masuk Perguruan Tinggi Negeri or National Selection of State Universities). Starting from 2016, the quota of SNMPTN in state university is reduced to 40% of the initial 60% of the total seats available. In addition, only 75% of the total students per class can participate in the selection of SNMPTN determined based on the parallel rank.  For example, if there are 100 students in the school, only 75 of them are able to participate in the selection of SNMPTN. Due to these factors, students who are in the top ten parallel rank have a greater opportunity to get accepted in state universities. This is because the university will give priority to the top ten students to get accepted. University trust their prospective students’ ability based on grades and parallel rank. They do not want to accept prospective students whose  track records are  not clearly known yet

   Students who were underestimated by their friends because of having poor economic background or being disable usually have high motivation in themselves to study. The same thing happens with minority students who have different religion, ethnicity, race and skin color. One of the ways to prove that they can do as well as other students or even can do better is to get into the parallel rank.

   In summary, there are three reasons why some students would die hard to get in the top ten parallel ranks such as they can be famous in the school, have a greater opportunity to enter state university without taking the entrance test and want to prove something to some people. Many students even consider it as something weird and do not want to become friends with them. However, as wise students we should interpret it as positive thing because these students can motivate ourselves to study.  As a proverb says “If you make friends with perfume seller, your clothes will smells good. If you make friends with students who are keen to learn, then you will be keen to learn too”.

By : M. Dwiki Rivaldy

What Should You Do When You Got Bullied?

According to www.cdc.gov , bullying is unwanted, aggressive, behavior among students that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.
The behavior has a  potential to recur over time. There are types of bullying such as physical bullying, verbal bullying, covert or hidden bullying, and cyber bullying. Both kids who are bullied and people who bully other people probably have serious, enduring problems. Bullying will make someone hurt either by words or actions. The effects to the kids who are bullied are depression, mental health, decreased academic achievement or even worst they could commit suicide. For some people, bullying can motivate them to become people with stronger personality but a lot of people don’t think that way. So, they will choose to end up their life instead of living their life and making the bully regret what they have done. Bullying can be a serious problem if people don’t do anything to stop bullying. Everybody knows that nothing can stop bullying but at least we can minimize it. Stopping bullying has to come from yourself. We all have rights for our happiness. Bullying can be prevented by working it out by yourself, defending yourself, and asking someone for help. 

Working it out yourself is the first step you can do to know how much power you’ve got to face them. You can’t depend on someone in this case even though he even says they will never leave you. They turn to someone they say they will never leave you but when possible, ignore the bully. Bullies are looking for reaction from you and often lose interest if they don’t get satisfaction of making you upset. When the bully approach you it’s better to walk away if they block your way then face them and you have to look strong don’t ever show your weakness in front of the bullies because that will make them bully you even more. Believe in yourself that you can solve this problem. I know that everyone needs help but we also need to help ourselves. Expecting other people to help us will not work well. Expectations are what kill us. Maybe this solo action will takes time but you have to be ready. Also you have to keep in your mind that everything happens for a reason, and maybe the reason is to make yourself stronger, to be an experience person that you can share later on to your children or your grandchildren in the future. You have to believe that you can get through this entire struggle and make you into a better person. Don’t forget to be happy because happiness is the best revenge. Nothing pushes people more foolish than seeing someone having a good life. 

If the bullies treat you even worst such as kicking, punching or whatever that hurt your physical then you should learn to defend yourself. Actually self-defense is important so we can fight-back. When the bully hits you don’t be afraid to fight back but remember to do this if the bully start it first. You have the rights to defend yourself then don’t be afraid to do it. Stand for yourself and don’t let the bully bring you down. If you don’t make any mistakes then you don’t have to be afraid to face them. It’s a different case if you do something wrong so don’t feel hesitate to ask for forgiveness.  Don’t put your personality on airs. If they don’t forgive you then that’s their problem but at least you have tried to fix your relationship with the bully.

   Asking someone for help is the thing you can do if you already can’t handle the bully by yourself. You don’t have to worry to tell your parents or teachers how the bully treat you. Be open to your parents if you’re not then how can they help you go through this situation? Just don’t be afraid to speak up if you don't do something wrong. After you tell your parents about everything you’ve been through then they can help you to make a plan to stop bullying like telling the bully’s parents how they treat you the entire time so their parents can give more attention to the bully or bring their child to a mental health professional such as to a psychologist, or a psychiatrist.

   In conclusion, being bullied can make you upset and stressful, and it can affect your life in many different ways, including your self-confidence, your relationships, and even your schooling. Bullying can be stopped if the victims have a huge desire to get it over. If we already help our own selves indirectly the universe will help us too.

By : Kevin