Blog 1: Indonesia Envisions More Religion in Schools
In Jakarta, Indonesia, there is a vision to integrate more religion
into the school system. Beginning June
2013, the government may approve a curriculum change in which science and
social studies will be combined in order to make room for religious education in
the classroom.
The government initiated a proposal of the idea to the
public and is analyzing the feedback and a team of experts working specifically
on the religious education curriculum will come together to develop new lesson
plans.
Most of the feedback seems mostly positive toward the new
curriculum modifications, though there are concerns that were will not be
enough time to train teachers and prepare new books.
The reason for this change in the curriculum among elementary
schools in Jakarta, Indonesia lead to the hope that more religious education
and instruction is needed due to an increase in violence and vandalism among
the youth in Indonesia and it is the hope that more religious direction will
build “character, tolerance for others, [and] empathy for others,” according to
Musliar Kasim, the deputy minister of education.
On the other end of the continuum, members of the teachers’
federation have created a petition opposing the proposal to include more
religion into the curriculum. “’Instead of
improving the curriculum, these changes dismantle the existing curriculum and
do not guarantee better education in Indonesia’”. It is already tough enough for Indonesia to
maintain the system they have now. Indonesian
schools are lacking well trained teachers as well as the resources necessary
for adequate and quality teaching.
Did you know? Indonesia
is said to be one of Asia’s fastest growing economies. The proposal is feared to take Asia in a
direction that may hinder their fast growing economic success. How so?
Many of the members of the teachers’ federation who oppose the
integration of more religion in schools believe that science and social studies shouldn't be hindered to make way for more religious instruction, because
science and social studies are core subjects within the foundation of education
that teach children how to become practical, critical thinkers who learn to identify
problems and find solutions.
I find this current event to be most intriguing. Though I agree that it couldn't hurt to provide religious direction to the youth of Indonesia, and all the
positive morals, beliefs and values which come along with those teachings, the
school systems in Indonesia, according to the article, already have two hours
of religion already integrated within their daily curriculum. They are talking about increasing the
religious instruction to four hours. In
order to do this, science and social studies will not be taught individually,
with their full respective times allotted.
They will be combined, and the time spent teaching both subjects will
decrease.
I feel strongly that
science in particular is one of the most important subjects taught within
schools today. Everything comes back to
science. We use it in math, literature,
and social studies, for example. Science
is everywhere around us. Science allows
students to create their own theories and develop an understanding of the world
around them. Science allows students to
become critical thinkers; which enables them to further succeed in all other
subjects, as well as in their own lives beyond the classroom. Taking the opportunity away or even
suggesting that it may not be as important, is simply denying students of their
full potential to academically succeed.
Jessica Hanley
1/31/13
6:54 p.m.
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