Jakarta, Indonesian Christians against school reform
Jakarta (AsiaNews) - The Synod of the Indonesian Churches are strongly criticizing a school reform - the controversial "Curriculum 2013" - launched by the Ministry of Education led by Muhammad Nuh, already the target of teachers and students for the controversy related to the year-end examinations. Catholic (KWI) and Protestants (PGI) leaders have issued a joint statement in which they invite the President, Government and Parliament to suspend its entry into force until "issues in dispute are clarified and finalized". The draft reform in fact reveals the "private interests" of people in power, rather than any real benefit "in terms of education."
Addressing the head of state Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the leaders of the Church in Indonesia cite the "moral obligation" that drives them to "take up the defense of anyone who might suffer disadvantages resulting from radical changes." This includes the curriculum, effective as of the next school year that begins in July. There are "unclear" issues and, the Christian leaders add, "a thorough assessment of the current study plan is needed".
Among the critical points of the Curriculum 2013 emphasizes the Synod of the Churches, the fact that even today "thousands of teachers are not familiar with its content" just two months before it enters into force. There is also a fierce criticism of "the essence of the educational system" in it, which destroys the personality of students and teachers, turning them into "obedient" subjects. Another controversial element, the fact that the teacher may be asked to explain subjects that "are not within their competence", a fact that will also lead to "cuts in staff."
The reform of the school curriculum also involves the exchange of textbooks, with a huge economic burden for families. It is a bone of contention for leaders of the Catholic and Protestant churches, and something that repeats itself at each change of administration, becoming a harbinger of shady deals and corruption. This is why Christian leaders ask for increased and better investment in "training" teachers, rather than in wasting money on buying new and completely useless texts.
The Churches battle alongside families and against the minister's reform has sparked a media campaign mystifying groups of pro-government journalists. Part of the press in fact accuses the National Council for Catholic Education (Mnpk) of now criticizing the reform, after having welcomed it at first. In reality the Church never supported this reform, as reported by some media that has distorted statements and comments of Catholic teachers engaged in a national conference.
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