It must be admitted that in the journey of establishing such a tradition there will be stumbling blocks but at the same time building blocks. These stumbling blocks should be treated as the part of the dynamism of the process than the problem that must dictate the change to whole design. The fundamental foundation must be constructed first as the solid and long standing platform where the others means and facility can be installed and erected, is imperative.
This approach actually is not a new thing. The developed countries have experienced the fruit of establishing such an educational tradition. To be connected and compatible to the global educational system in terms of that the Indonesian graduate can be absorbed in international employment market, the government could, if not replicate, adjust to the previously established system of education.
Contrary to above, the government approach has always been connected to the nationalism and Indonesian values which are not favorable to the initiatives of establishing the system. The worst one is that the education is seen as a project that it will benefit all the stakeholders in a very short time.
From now on, the government has to change the whole design. The policy makers have to change the long standing mindset of a new official meaning a new system. The education must not be viewed as a project. An education must be seen as a long standing process and in the end become an established tradition which some time in the future will gain recognition from all over the world and finally it can be as one of the sources in generating country income.
The establishment efforts are the collaborative ones that involve every stakeholder who happens to be the whole Indonesia people. The history informs us that our neighboring country learnt from us to start and to establish its educational system. Some time in the past Indonesia exported human resources. This fact actually shows us that Indonesia owns the basic modalities to become one of countries which are internationally recognized in education.
The smart people are still there in Indonesia. The brain drain that has happened must be stopped by doing such a significant reconstruction to the Indonesian educational grand design. The change must be for all stakeholders’ benefit and ultimately for the interest of the country welfare. There have been proofs of the fact the countries who have paid attention to their human resources has obtained a significant progress in all aspect of the development that take the countries to the higher tier of the recognized prestigious civilization.
In light with that, it is expected that with the understanding and mindset that an education is not just a score which is achieved in a very short time, not a project whose result could be seen instantly, not the short standing event that will finish in due course, and not an easy journey that blocks us from the awareness of development out there, the occurrences as depicted at the very beginning above will never take place again for the students will never be depressed to face the test since they will have prepared themselves much earlier before the test.
One day in the future, as the education is viewed as a process and a tradition, the students can craft a smile on their face every time they deal with a test, even the final test. The students, the parents, the community and the government must take a part in this process and have the consciousness in this issue but the trigger is still the policy maker; the government.
The test, final test and national test are around the corner. We hope such a tragic moment as depicted above will never show up again in the news in Indonesia. Fingers crossed.
