YOGYAKARTA- Increased level of community literacy can not be the only reference and proof that a nation’s education has progressed. It can only be used for the foundation so that education and intelligence of the nation could grow. Thus, the process of societal change through education must be encouraged. One of the change processes that can be done is to continue increasing the number of children to get elementary school education.
"The literacy rate of the people of Indonesia in 2010 reaches 92%. That was not enough and only a foundation for education in Indonesia to progress," said the founder of Indonesia Teaching Movement, Anies Baswedan, in Indonesia Teaching Roadshow, A year Teaching, Lifetime Inspiring, which was held at the UGM University Club (UC), Tuesday (11/1).
Anies added, in order that the community continues to get education, access to education must be more open and easier. Unfortunately, so far the government often forgets about the children who are yet to get an elementary education. The government, for example, is more focused on how many students have completed college education. "The number of college students in Indonesia in 2009, for example, reached 4.1 million, but what are often overlooked are the children and youth who can not attend any school," said the Rector of the University of Paramadina.
The constrained access to education, among others, can be seen from the lack of teachers. He cited the shortage of teachers in schools in the city reached 21%, in villages 37%, in remote areas 66%, while in schools across Indonesia reached up to 34%. Besides the issue of quantity, the teacher’s quality is still questionable. Anies even had to mention that about 78% of teachers in Indonesia are not competent to teach at the elementary level (SD).
Considering some of the problems of education, especially to fill the shortage of qualified teachers in primary schools in remote areas, from June 2010 through the Indonesia Teaching Movement, opportunities are opened for the best scholars and achievers from various disciplines to teach for a year in remote areas. "For the moment, the remote areas include Bengkalis, Tulangbawang, South Halmahera, Paser, and Majene. Later, remote areas that will be the location of teaching will expand," said the alumnus of the UGM Faculty of Economics.
Anies admitted that Indonesia Teaching movement is inspired by the Mobilization of Students (PTM), which was pioneered by the former rector of UGM (the late) Prof. Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri in 1950. Indonesia Teaching Movement in 2010 dispatched 51 young teachers in those five remote regions. The number of teachers came from selection process of 1383 scholars. While for the year 2011, Indonesia Teaching plans to send 200 young teachers in two stages. "Later the selected teachers will be trained for seven weeks in the upcoming April and will be sent on duty in June 2011," said Anies in front of hundreds of students.
Responding to the presentation delivered by Anies Baswedan, students and scholars who recently graduated (fresh graduate) expressed interestin the program. Nur Agis Aulia, UGM Department of Social Development student, admits her interest in teaching in Papua. Her desire was also inspired by her senior who has also joined the Indonesia Teaching program. "I’m actually interested and challenged to teach in Papua, Sir," said Agis. Agis acknowledged that all this time being a teacher is indeed her ideal goal. Moreover, the ideal is also supported by her parents. "The important thing is to share our knowledge even though in remote areas," the student from Serang said.
Meanwhile, Lutfi Yudi, an alumnus of the UMY Faculty of Law, admitted his interest in the Indonesia Teaching. The Scholar of Papua is eager to apply his knowledge through Indonesia Teaching. "Although I am a legal scholar, I also want to teach. Later, I can apply my knowledge about law by teaching them about civic education," said Lutfi.