What Education has Taught Me

I�ve been studying in the formal education institution since a long time ago. But, when I went to university, I realized that we were trapped on ridiculus problem of education system. I think, the main problem is people�s mind construction about their respectful toward diversity.

As the common issues, we can�t against the diversity of thought, religion, ethnic group, gender, social and economic status, physically n mental condition. But, sometimes, the government just can�t accept that. For example, in the past, when Soeharto is in his power (called �orde baru� in Indonesia) , all of history lessons were constructed by government�s false consciousness. For example; let me ask you a question; What do you think about socialism and communism? A cruel community? Killed everybody who believes in God on 1966? A dirt ideology? And we should against? Many research reported that�s not true. The lesson of history for elementary, junior, and high school students were constructed by orde baru for their corrupt system, sustainability of status quo gives a way for capitalism to grow up in Indonesia. A high obligation, financial crisis, so many chaos in the big cities and the explosion of people�s revolt were reasonable consequences that must paid by government on 1998. Finally, reformation told the truth. Although the truth revealed, it didn�t mean that social condition post-1998 reformation are so much better. Many civil society groups who struggle for orde baru�s fall out and forming new age of democracy were uncertain about what kind of better system.

When orde baru governmental cabinet dominated political system, all sector controlled include the education institutions. They caught everybody who has different thought that may harmful for the government. They against diversity with a policy that make we must wear uniform, an developmentalism mind construction about education parameters which is so far away from local culture approach and humanism aspect, segregation of schools (many examples; international school with expensive fee, special school for disable student, final grade standardization for every level of school n etc). Why were they segregated? It needs too much payment and intelligent requirement. Many research reported that multicultural and inclusive education are good for academic and social condition student�s growing. But, exclusive education is still turning now.

Once upon a time, I ask a question to my self; if the diversity around us, why are government making a lot of standardization? In fact, when the government made some kind of multicultural education policy, at the same time, they decided homogeneous standardization education policy. In other condition, the poor can�t enroll university because of too much payment.

An example; a village in Alor, East Nusa Tenggara, parents hope that education must teach their child with them local culture, they need to grow n build up their special condition of agricultural area. So, the chief of village try to make it real. The school accept 6 to 8 years old children, they didn�t get education in pre-elementary school (a kind of TK in Indonesia). They are coming from Otvai ethnic groups that have different mother tongue with the other. In the process of education, teacher use local environmental cases, n local story telling method. As their wish, the children can accept all academic lesson. And, the important thing is, they didn�t make same final grade standard. That kind of school still sustain now. (UNESCO Case study in SD GMIT, Alor, NTT). This case also happened in SMA Pembangunan Yogyakarta, there was becoming my research thesis subject.

Every human have their ability and disability . Every ethnic group have their local genius and necessary. So why don�t we make a cultural approach on learning system? And every human have their own rights to get education, no matter what their condition. Education is very important for human development. It can be a kind of way to make poor people free from poverty. Education is helping the child realize his potentialities, as Erich Fromm said. Education is emancipation.

Someone ask me that to escape criticism, do nothing, say nothing and be nothing. If I want to change, just take my times to make a small and simple change. I knew that the problems in education are so hard to finish. I have a dream to make a non-formal simple school for all students who can�t access formal education. I am also dreaming about changing education policy from my research. What a stupid idea, right? Haha! And now, I am about entering social policy government institution as a research officer.

(edited- actually it first written when I was new in university, just for remembering how stupid I was)