Indonesian vs Foreign Education System: Advantages and Disadvantages

The education system is a strategy used in the teaching and learning process to achieve goals, so that students can develop their potential. Indonesia has a three-way education system: formal (schools, colleges, universities), non-formal (language courses), and informal (experience and daily life).

Did you know that the education system in each country is different? The learning systems used in Indonesia and other countries have very visible differences. Indonesia is very good for training the development of physical activity in children. However, Indonesia still emphasizes the ability to learn to read, write and count in children at an early age. While the education system abroad for early childhood is more emphasized to explore the environment.

The curriculum in Indonesia is more adaptable to local conditions, such as customs and language. In 2023, some educational institutions pointed out that most of the material taught in schools tends to emphasize national culture, so students explore less on cultures outside their local environment. Whereas overseas curricula explore cultural diversity and are more open to technological developments. However, in Indonesia, technological development in the field of education is less developed. According to a report by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology in 2023, more than 40% of schools in Indonesia still have limited access to digital technology.  And there are also shortcomings in foreign curricula, which sometimes have nothing in common with the local culture and environment.

Indonesia still prioritizes graduation based on final results without caring about the ways that students do it positively or negatively. Many are even willing to ask questions, cheat, or use Artificial Intelligence (AI) so that the final results they get can match the Minimum Completion Criteria (KKM). By 2023, around 56% of students admit to using AI, such as ChatGPT or Gemini, to complete their assignments or exams. Meanwhile, abroad, students will be guided to open their minds as widely as possible and find solutions in the right way and not instantly, so that they will finally get satisfactory grades.

Indonesia's education system is similar to that of New Zealand. The system used by New Zealand aims to develop students' ability to be oriented.
Whatever the differences and similarities between the education system in Indonesia and abroad, every child has the same right to education. Therefore, the role of students and parents is very important in supporting the education of each child.