Sri Sultan HB X: Education in Java is Not on Maritime and Marine Affairs

The Governor of the Province of Yogyakarta Special Region, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, criticized that education in Java has not taught maritime and marine affairs which are more suitable for Indonesian people. ”In Java there is no maritime and marine education. I don’t know whether Ambonese people still understand maritime affairs or not, or whether Bugis community is still able to make ships or not,” said the Sultan when delivering keynote speech in a book launching and discussion entitled “Towards an Indonesian Identity of Education’. The event was held by the Educational Reconstruction Committee of the province at BPD Bank Building, Monday (9/11).

According to the Sultan, the emphasis of education in Java as the basis of national education is more on agricultural or continental knowledge. Hence, the maritime people from outside Java are taught education unsuitable with their original condition. The concept of education should be directed to multicultural and plural education through leadership and entrepreneurship spirit. He hoped that with this, Indonesia can produce products for global market in the future.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Educational Reconstruction Committee, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M.Eng., Ph.D., in his opening speech delivered that the book written by 18 educational observers in the province can give inspiration for the advancement of Indonesian education. The same opinion was also conveyed by the Chairman of Educational Board of the province, Prof. Dr. Wuryadi, M.S. That book is expected to be able to meet people’s aspiration for real Indonesian education, and this has actually been started in Yogyakarta. “The various writings in this book convey an idea. Actually, real Indonesian education is needed by everyone,” he ended.