Revolutionizing Indonesian Education: A Roadmap for Curriculum Development

Why is Indonesia's education system ranked so low in international assessments, despite having one of the largest and fastest-growing economies in the world?

This is a question that has been on the minds of educators, policymakers, and concerned citizens in Indonesia for quite some time. Despite its vast potential, the Indonesian education system faces significant challenges that hinder its ability to provide quality education to all its students. In this article, we will explore the current state of Indonesian education, delve into the key issues that need to be addressed, and propose a road-map for curriculum development that could potentially revolutionize the education landscape in this diverse and culturally rich archipelago.

Imagine a classroom where students are engaged and bursting with passion for learning. The students are laughing and enjoying every part of the lesson while collaborating with each other, using cutting-edge technology, and developing the critical skills they need to succeed in the 21st century. The teachers are finding creative ways to guide their students to find their own learning and be able to solve real-live issues that are impacting the society and especially the students life. This is the vision of a revolutionized Indonesian education system. What a beautiful and meaningful education that are given to the students who are the future generation of this country.

Unfortunately, the reality is far different. Many Indonesian students are struggling to learn. They are being educated using outdated and sometimes irrelevant facilities in underfunded schools. They are taught by overworked and underpaid teachers, navigating a landscape characterized by rote memorization and standardized assessments. As a result, many Indonesian students are not prepared for the multifaceted challenges of the modern world.

This is a problem that Indonesia cannot afford to ignore and requires Indonesia's steadfast attention. In today's globalized economy, education is more important than ever before. Countries that prioritize significant investments in education are the  most likely to succeed. If Indonesia wants to become a developed nation, it needs to revolutionize its education system. This means investing in better schools, strengthening educational institutions, expanding the pool of highly qualified educators, and providing students with the skills they need to succeed in the modern economy.

However, revitalizing Indonesian education goes beyond simple financial considerations. This requires a fundamental change in our concept of education. We need to move away from the fixation on rote learning and standardized assessment, and shift our focus to fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and fostering creativity. It is imperative  to establish an educational model that enables students to face the multifaceted challenges of the 21st century, making them  informed citizens, engaged workers and learners lifelong practice. It is time to create an education system that prepares all Indonesians for success.

Education is the cornerstone of any nation's progress, and it is high time that Indonesia takes a leap forward in this crucial arena. It is not a critique of the hardworking teachers and educators in the country but an acknowledgment of the systemic challenges that need to be overcome to ensure that every Indonesian child receives a high-quality education.

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To understand the need for change, we must first look at the current state of Indonesian education. According to data from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), Indonesian students consistently score well below the global average in mathematics, science, and reading. In the latest assessment, Indonesia ranked 74th out of 76 participating countries, raising alarm bells about the quality of education in the country.

According to UNESCO, Indonesia has one of the largest school systems in the world, with over 50 million students enrolled. However, according to the survey conducted by The World Bank in December 2019, it also has a significant shortage of teachers in some areas, with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. This leads to overcrowded classrooms and a lack of personalized attention for students. A 2020 survey by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that only about 22% of Indonesian 15-year-olds demonstrated proficiency in reading, mathematics, and science.  This disparity is even more pronounced in rural areas , with urban areas having better access to quality schools and educational resources. In contrast, many rural areas lack even basic educational facilities.

Consider the story of a bright young girl, just call her Siti, from a remote village in Sulawesi. Siti is eager to learn, but her school is severely underfunded, lacks basic educational materials, and often faces a shortage of qualified teachers. The nearest library is hours away, and internet access is a distant dream. There are so many more with the like of Siti in other remote villages in Papua, Kalimantan, Nusa Tenggara and more. In contrast, in Jakarta, children with the age similar to Siti enjoy a more privileged educational experience with access to modern facilities, highly qualified educators, and a wide range of extracurricular activities. This stark contrast highlights the urban-rural education divide that plagues Indonesia.

Although some neighboring countries have faced challenges in achieving educational excellence, they have made significant progress. Vietnam has invested in infrastructure, teacher training, and curriculum reform, and its students have achieved impressive results on international assessments. Singapore, another close neighbor to Indonesia, has transformed itself from a struggling economy into a global education leader by investing heavily in education, recruiting high-quality teachers, and adopting a rigorous curriculum. Singaporean students consistently perform exceptionally well on international assessments and are highly sought-after by universities and employers around the world. Indonesia has many similarities to these countries, and if they are able to successfully implement education reforms, Indonesia can achieve the same level of success.

One of the primary issues facing the Indonesian education system is the urban-rural divide. While urban areas tend to have better schools and more qualified teachers, rural areas often struggle with a lack of resources and access to quality education. This disparity further deepens social and economic inequalities. Moreover, the curriculum in Indonesian schools is often criticized for its rigidity and memorization-based teaching methods. This approach places a heavy burden on students, as they are forced to learn vast amounts of information without truly understanding the subject matter. The lack of critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the curriculum hinders students from developing a deeper understanding of the subjects and applying their knowledge in practical situations.

To truly revolutionize Indonesian education, we can look to countries like Finland, which have undergone significant educational transformations. In Finland, the focus shifted from memorization to understanding, with a strong emphasis on student well-being. The success of Finland's education system lies in its flexible curriculum, qualified teachers, and an approach that values the individual needs of each student. The Finnish model can serve as an inspiration for Indonesia. It's about nurturing students' intrinsic motivation, providing holistic education, and treating teachers as professionals.

A Roadmap for Curriculum Development

To revolutionize Indonesian education, a fundamental aspect to address is curriculum development. The curriculum should be designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, rather than rote memorization. Here's a proposed roadmap for curriculum development:

1. Balancing Tradition and Innovation

The curriculum should embrace Indonesia's rich cultural heritage while incorporating modern teaching methodologies. It should encourage students to explore their own culture and history while being prepared for the challenges of the 21st century. Pancasila and all its values should not be lost under the influence of modernism. This can be achieved through the integration of local traditions, history, and languages into the curriculum, creating a unique and relevant educational experience.

2. Teacher Training and Professional Development

Invest heavily in quality teacher training programs and continuous professional development. Well-trained and motivated teachers are the backbone of a successful education system. The Indonesian government can partner with universities to create specialized programs for teacher training, focusing on modern pedagogical approaches and the use of technology in the classroom. This especially should be progressed more towards the remote areas of Indonesia. It may be a long-term investment that Indonesia need to take now to ensure the quality of the younger generations to come.

3. Standardized Assessments

Develop a system of standardized assessments that focus on measuring critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity rather than just memorization. The standardized assessment mentioned here should be nothing like the National Examination (UN) previously implemented in Indonesia. This will encourage a more holistic approach to education. Standardized assessments should be designed to assess not just what students know but how well they can apply their knowledge to real-world problems. The Ministry of Education has started the National Assessment (AN), however it should be implemented to more schools to make sure all the students have the capabilities of having good literacy and numeracy skills.

4. Digital Integration

In a world driven by technology, integrating digital tools into the classroom is essential. This not only makes learning more engaging but also prepares students for a tech-driven future. As internet penetration continues to grow in Indonesia, the government can collaborate with tech companies to provide students with access to digital resources and interactive learning platforms. Government may invest also on technology to be used by rural students, so they may have the similar experience as their friends from the city.

5. Inclusivity and Equality

Address the urban-rural education divide by ensuring that schools in all regions have access to qualified teachers, resources, and technology. The government should work towards making education truly inclusive. Innovative solutions, such as mobile libraries and satellite-based internet access, can bridge the gap between urban and rural education.

6. Community Involvement

Encourage the involvement of parents, communities, and local leaders in the education process. Programs like "Kelas Inspirasi" should be scaled up to reach more schools. Community involvement can provide students with real-world insights, making learning more meaningful.

7. Youth Voices

Incorporate perspectives from young Indonesians about their hopes and concerns regarding their education. Their voices can add a sense of immediacy and authenticity. Indonesia will have a surplus of productive generation before 2045, its centennial Independence. It is their time to shine. The youth of this country should become the leaders to bring Indonesia into the promised land. True Independence.

Sources:

Huang, A. R., Revina, S., Fillaili, R., & Akhmadi. (2020). The Struggle to Recruit Good Teachers in Indonesia: Institutional and Social Dysfunctions. RESE: Research on Improving Systems of Eduction.

Shaturaev, J. (2021). 2045: Path to nation’s golden age (Indonesia Policies and Management of Education). Science and Education, 2(12), 866-875.

UNESCO. Education Policy and Reform. Secondary Information Regional Information Base: Indonesia. Comp. Yoko Kono. Bangkok, Thailand: UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, 2010.

World Bank. (2019). Primary Education in Remote Indonesia: Survey Results from West Kalimantan and East Nusa Tenggara.