Duta Besar AS Dorong lebih banyak Pelajar Indonesia Belajar di AS

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Duta Besar Amerika Serikat (AS) untuk Indonesia Joseph R Donovan mendorong agar lebih banyak pelajar Indonesia untuk belajar di AS, dan begitu pula sebaliknya, sebagai sarana untuk mendapatkan pemahaman yang lebih baik lagi. Berbicara di depan ratusan siswa Pondok Pesantren Daar El-Qolam Islam di Tanggerang, Banten, Senin (6/2), Donovan menyayangkan bahwa Indonesia dan AS tidak memiliki sejarah hubungan antar warga lintas generasi yang memadai.

Ia menjelaskan bahwa Indonesia dan AS memiliki banyak kesamaan sebagai negara dengan aneka ragam suku bangsa yang menjunjung tinggi toleransi dan saling menghormati antar sesama sebagai sumber kekuatannya.

Sebelumnya, ketika berbicara didepan kelompok pelajar Indonesia yang baru saja kembali setelah melakukan studi AS, Donovan membahas kesan positif yang dialami pelajar-pelajar asing selama belajar di AS. Keuntungan dari belajar di luar negeri adalah mendapat pengalaman baru. Pengalaman unik tersebut, tambahnya, mungkin tidak selamanya baik, karena sebagaimana banyak terjadi di belahan dunia lainnya, beberapa orang bersikap intoleran dan berperilaku kurang baik.

Donovan juga terkesan dengan upaya yang dilakukan oleh pelajar Indonesia dalam membantu para pelajar Amerika untuk mendapatkan pengetahuan yang lebih baik mengenai Indonesia. Ia yakin bahwa para pelajar Indonesia tersebut mengajarkan keindahan dan rasa toleransi terhadap teman-teman mereka dari AS. Ia berharap para pelajar Indonesia juga bisa mengajak lebih banyak lagi pelajar Indonesia untuk mengunjungi Indonesia.

Menurut Donovan, Kedutaan Besar AS di Indonesia telah bekerja keras dalam meningkatkan jumlah mahasiswa Indonesia untuk belajar di universitas-universitas, kampus-kampus dan sekolah-sekolah menengah atas yang ada di AS. Pada tahun lalu, pertumbuhan jumlah mahasiswa yang belajar di AS hampir mencapai 7 persen. Namun demikian, Kedubes AS akan terus mengajak lebih banyak lagi pelajar di Indonesia untuk melanjutkan studi mereka di AS dengan mengadakan pameran-pameran pendidikan yang akan digelar di Jakarta, Surabaya dan Medan.

Donovan menyarankan agar pelajar Indonesia yang tertarik untuk melanjutkan studi di AS tidak hanya mempertimbangkan lokasi, ukuran, dan program studi dari universitas atau kampus itu saja, namun juga harus memperoleh manfaat yang tepat dari program yang ditawarkan oleh universitas tersebut dan benar-benar sesuai dengan kebutuhan mereka.

Ambassador Encourages more Indonesian Students to Study in US

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US Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph R Donovan has encouraged more Indonesian students to study in the US, and vice versa, as a medium of better understanding.
Speaking to hundreds of students of Daar el-Qolam Islamic boarding school, Tangerang, Banten, on Monday, Donovan said that both nations unfortunately lacked sufficient historical people-to-people relations across generations.

He explained that Indonesia and the US have so much in common as diverse nations whose tolerance and respect are the sources of strength and inspiration.

Donovan previously discussed the positive impression of foreign students in the US, while speaking to groups of Indonesian students who just returned after their study in the US. The advantage of studying overseas is to get new experiences. Such unique experiences might not always be good, because as in many parts of the world, there are also some intolerant people who have negative attitudes, he added.

Donovan was also impressed by the efforts taken by the students to help American students get a better knowledge of Indonesia. He said, he believes the students taught the beauty and tolerance of their country to their American friends. Hopefully, they will encourage more American students to come to Indonesia.

According to Donovan, the US Embassy in Indonesia has been working hard to increase the number of Indonesian students studying in US universities, community colleges and high schools. After having achieved success with almost 7 percent growth in the number of Indonesian students studying in US last year, the embassy will continue to encourage more Indonesians to pursue their study in US by holding the upcoming education fairs in Jakarta, Surabaya and Medan.

Donovan suggested that Indonesians who are interested to pursue their studies in the US should not only consider the university or colleges location, size, and focus of the study but also get the right combination offered by the university that really meets the students need.

Link: http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/109275/ambassador-encourages-more-indonesian-students-to-study-in-us

Ombudsman: Sekolah Dilarang Tarik Iuran UNBK

www.republika.co.id

Ombudsman RI Perwakilan Jawa Tengah melarang pihak sekolah untuk menarik iuran apapun terkait pelaksanaan ujian nasional berbasis komputer (UNBK). Kepala Ombudsman RI Perwakilan Jateng Sabarudin Hulu mengatakan, kalau ada penarikan iuran untuk UNBK, itu termasuk pungutan liar (pungli. Hal itu diungkapkannya mengantisipasi munculnya pungli untuk kesiapan pelaksanaan UNBK, terutama di sekolah-sekolah yang belum siap melaksanakan UNBK karena kekurangan fasilitas komputer. Sekolah yang masih kekurangan komputer dimungkinkan menyewa perangkat tersebut, atau membelinya demi keberlangsungan UNBK dan dikhawatirkan pendanaannya dibebankan kepada orang tua siswa.

Sabarudin menegaskan, sesuai dengan UU Nomor 20/2003 tentang Sistem Pendidikan Nasional menyebutkan bahwa pendanaan pendidikan tanggung jawab bersama pemerintah pusat, daerah dan masyarakat. Akan tetapi, kata dia, peran masyarakat sudah diatur dalam PP Nomor 48/2018 tentang Pendanaan Pendidikan, yakni pendanaan tersebut tidak boleh dalam bentuk pungutan atau pemaksaan. Yang boleh adalah bantuan atau sumbangan.

Menurut dia, Peraturan Menteri Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan Nomor 75/2016 tentang Komite Sekolah juga sudah mengatur bahwa sekolah tidak boleh melakukan pungutan kepada orang tua siswa maupun peserta didik. Sabarudin kembali menegaskan jika ada sekolah yang mewajibkan iuran bagi orang tua siswa untuk pengadaan perangkat komputer untuk pelaksanaan UNBK jelas merupakan pungli.

Selain itu, dia mengingatkan pelimpahan pengelolaan SMA dan sederajat dari pemerintah kota ke provinsi juga harus dilakukan pembahasan mengenai pelibatan masyarakat dalam pendanaan pendidikan. “Perlu ada semacam antisipasi, yakni pembahasan oleh DPRD provinsi yang melibatkan masyarakat mengenai partisipasi untuk memberikan bantuan dalam pendanaan pendidikan.

Ombudsman: Schools Prohibited from Charging UNBK Fees

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Representatives of the Central Java RI Ombudsman prohibit schools from charging any fees whatsoever related to the implementation of the computer-based national exams (UNBK).  Head of Central Java Ombudsman Representative, Sabarudin Hulu said that if there are charges for UNBK, it will be considered illegal payments/extortion (pungli). This was expressed in anticipation of the emergence of extortion for the UNBK preparation, especially in schools that are not yet ready to implement the UNBK due to lack of computer facilities. Schools still in shortage of computers can rent the hardwares, or buy them for the sake of continuity of the UNBKs and it is feared the funding of the UNBK would be charged to the students’ parents.

Sabarudin affirmed, pursuant to Law No. 20/2003 on the National Education System states that education funding is the shared responsibility of the central government, regional administrations and communities. However, he said, the role of the community is set in Government Regulation No. 48/2016 on Education Funding, i.e.the funding may not be in the form of fees or coercion. Allowed are  aid or donations.

According to him, the Minister of Education and Culture Regulation No. 75/2016 on the School Committee also stipulates that schools should not charge any fees to the parents and learners. Sabarudin reiterated that if there are schools that require/charge fees to parents for the procurement of computer equipment for the implementation of UNBK it is clearly extortion.

In addition, he reminded the transfer of management of SMA and equivalents from the municipalities to the provinces there should be discussions on community involvement in education funding. “There needs to be some sort of anticipation, namely discussion by the provincial house of representatives (DPRD) involving the public on participation to provide assistance in education funding.

Link: http://www.republika.co.id/berita/pendidikan/dunia-kampus/17/02/06/okyk7b284-ombudsman-sekolah-dilarang-tarik-iuran-unbk

Persiapan UNBK Perlu Sinergi

Media Indonesia, halaman 21

Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan (Kemendikbud) meminta pemrintah daerah, baik pemerintah provinsi maupun kabupaten/kota, bersinergi dalam menyiapkan pelaksanaan Ujian Nasional Berbasis Komputer (UNBK) 2017. Hal itu diungkapkan Kepala Pusat Penilaian Pendidikan (Kapuspendik) Kemendikbud Nizam di Jakarta, kemarin (6/2).

Nizam mengingatkan penyelenggaraan UNBK dapat menjadikan pelaksanaan UN lebih efisien dan nyaman. Hal itu sesuai dengan hasil penelitian Badan Penelitian dan Pengembangan (Balitbang) Kemendikbud pada 2016, yaitu sebagian besar siswa berpendapat penyelenggaraan UNBK lebih nayman daripada ujian nasional kertas pensil (UNKP).

Oleh sebab itu, lanjut Nizam, pihaknya mendorong sekolah-sekolah untuk menyelenggarakan UNBK. Pada tahun ini, terdapat lebih dari 30 ribu sekolah dengan 3,6 juta siswa yang akan mengikuti UNBK. Sejumlah daerah terlihat telah melakukan persiapan UNBK, misalnya di Biak Numfor, Papua Barat, sebanyak 1.902 siswa SMP dan SMA/SMK dari 17 sekolah telah didaftarkan untuk mengikuti UNBK.

Seperti diketahui, UN SMK akan dilaksanakan pada 3-6 April 2017 dan UN SMA/MA pada 10-13 April 2017. Sementara, UN SMP/MTs akan dilaksanakan dua gelombang sebagai solusi untuk mengatasi kekurangan komputer. Gelombang pertama UN SMP/MTs akan berlangsung pada 2, 3, 4, dan 15 Mei 2017 dan gelombang kedua pada 8, 9, 10 dan 16 Mei 2017.

Preparation of Computer-Based National Examinations (UNBK) Needs Synergy

Media Indonesia, page 21

The Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) asked the regional administrations, both the provincial administrations as well as regency/ city, to work together in preparing the implementation of the 2017 Computer-Based National Examinations (UNBK). It was disclosed by the Head of Educational Assessment Center (Kapuspendik- Kemendikbud), Nizam in Jakarta, yesterday (6 / 2/2017).

Nizam reminded that the implementation of UNBK can make the National Examinations/UN more convenient and efficient. This is in accordance with the results of the Research and Development Agency (Balitbang-Kemendikbud) in 2016, that most of the students argued  that the implementation of the computer based exams  (UNBK) was more convenient than the paper pencil national exams (UNKP).

Therefore, Nizam continued that the ministry encourages schools to organize UNBKs. This year there are over 30 thousand schools with 3.6 million students who will take the UNBKs. Some areas are seen to have made preparations for the UNBK, for example in Biak Numfor, West Papua, as many as 1,902 junior and senior high school/ vocational school students  from 17 schools have been registered to participate in the UNBK.

It has been known that UN SMK (vocational school National exams) will be held on 3-6 April 2017 and UN SMA/MA (senior high school/Madrasah National exams) will be held on 10 to 13 April 2017.  Meanwhile, UN SMP / MTs (junior high school level exams) will be held in two batches as a solution to overcome shortage of computers. The first batch of UN SMP / MTs will take place on 2, 3, 4, and May 15, 2017 and the second batch at 8, 9, 10 and May 16, 2017.

Sekolah Diminta Sukarela Bayar Biaya Akreditasi

Koran Sindo, halaman 2

Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan (Kemendikbud) meminta sekolah dasar dan menengah melakukan akreditasi sekolah secara mandiri. Akreditasi dipandang menjadi cerminan kualitas sekolah.  Menteri Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan (Mendikbud) Muhadjir Effendy mengatakan akreditasi mandiri telah dilakukan oleh perguruan tinggi sehingga tidak ada salahnya jika sekolah dasar dan menengah melakukan hal yang sama. Jika sekolah mampu melakukan hal ini, dia meyakini proses akreditasi dari Badan Akreditasi Nasional Sekolah/Madrasah (BAN SM) bisa berlangsung dengan cepat.

Muhadjir engatakan, pihaknya tidak mewajibkan, tapi apabila ada sekolah yang mampu dan sukarela bersedia membiayai akreditasi untuk dirinya sendiri, BAN SM perlu mempertimbangkan. Imbauan ini, lanjutnya, diminta kepada sekolah khususnya kepada sekolah swasta. Mengenai adanya potensi suap jika sekolah membayar, Muhadjir menjawab semestinya tidak akan ada indikasi ke sana, karena syarat ada aturannya sudah jelas mengenai besaran dan penggunaannya

Muhadjir menyampaikan, belum semua sekolah memiliki status akreditasi A. Bahkan, ada 4.058 sekolah yang belum terakreditasi, sehingga hal itu menambah pekerjaan rumah bagi pemerintah. Berdasarkan data yang diperoleh Biro Perencanaan dan Kerja Sama Luar Negeri, untuk semua jenjang di seluruh Indonesia, sekolah yang mendapatkan akreditasi A (amat baik) sebanyak 39.771 sekolah, akreditasi B (baik) sebanyak 87.588 sekolah dan akreditasi C (cukup) sebanyak 27.408.

Sementara itu, Sekjen Federasi Serikat Guru Indonesia (FSGI) Retno Listyarti mempertanyakan dari mana sekolah negeri mendapatkan biaya sukarela untuk pembiayaaan akreditasi. Ia berpendapat, Bantuan Operasional Sekolah (BOS) maupun BOS Daerah (BOSDa) tidak memuat prosedur yang melegalkan pembiayaan untuk akreditasi.

Schools Asked to Voluntarily Pay Accreditation Fees

Koran Sindo, page 2

The Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) asked for primary and secondary schools to conduct independent school accreditations. Accreditation is seen to be a reflection of the schools’ quality. Minister of Education and Culture (Mendikbud), Muhadjir Effendy said that independent accreditation has been conducted by higher education  so there is no harm if the primary and secondary schools do the same. If the school is able to do this, he believes that the accreditation process from the National Accreditation Board of Schools / Madrasahs (BAN SM) can take place quickly.

Muhadjir said that it is not compulsory, but if there are schools that are able and willing to voluntarily finance their accreditation, BAN SM needs to consider them.  He continued that this appeal, were asked to schools especially to private schools. Regarding the possibilities for bribery if the school pays, Muhadjir answered that there should be no indication of it, because the requirements and regulations are already clear regarding the amount and its use.

Muhadjir conveyed that not all the schools have accreditation A status. In fact, there are 4,058 schools that have not been accredited, so it adds to the government’s homework. Based on the data obtained by the Bureau of Planning and International Cooperation, for all levels throughout Indonesia, the schools that receive accreditation A (very good) total 39,771 schools, accreditation B (good) total 87,588 schools and accreditation C (satisfactory) as many as 27,408.

Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Federation of Indonesian Teachers Union (FSGI), Retno Listyarti questioned where the state schools could get voluntary financing for the accreditation. She argues that the  School Operational Assistance (BOS) and Regional BOS (BOSDa) do not contain a procedure that legalizes financing for accreditation.

Gaji Ribuan Guru SMA di NTT Tersendat

Kompas, halaman 12

Ribuan guru sekolah menengah atas (SMA)/sekolah menengah kejuruan (SMK) dan sederajat di Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) pada Januari-Februari 2017 belum menerima gaji. Mereka resah karena terpaksa berhutang hingga jutaan rupiah untuk membiayai kebutuhan keluarga. Dari pengalihan status guru dari kabupaten/kota ke provinsi masih tumpang tindih, di samping pelaksanaa pemilihan kepala daerah di tiga kabupaten/kota di NTT.

Kepala SMK Negeri Silawan, Kebupaten Belu, Charlos Kilik Asa mengatakan, 32 guru negeri, 2 pegawai tata usaha, dan 4 guru honorer di sekolahnya sejak Januari hingga Februari belum menerima gaji. Untuk memenuhi kebutuhan hidup, sebagian guru harus menjadi tukang ojek pada sore hari, melaut, atau bekerja sampingan lain. Para guru ini kesulitan membiayai pendidikan anak di perguruan tinggi, pengobatan istri dan anak, dan urusan sosial seperti urusan adat.

Pelaksana Tugas Kepala Dinas Pendidikan NTT Alo Min mengatakan, kemarin, dana bagi 7.800 guru dari total 8.180 guru SMA/SMK ditransfer ke 22 kabupaten/kota. Dana untuk Kabupaten Manggarai da Kabupaten Rote Ndao belum ditransfer karena data belum lengkap. Ia mengatakan, gaji bulan Januari Februari bagi 7.800 guru, Senin minggu ini sudah ditransfer. Ada permasalahan validasi data daftar gaji, surat keputusan, dan nomor rekening yang tidak cocok. Verifikasi ulang sedang dilakukan pihaknya.

Salaries of Thousands of High School Teachers in NTT Impeded

Kompas, page 12

Thousands of high-school (SMA) / vocational high school (SMK) and equivalent teachers in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) in January-February 2017 have not received salaries. They are upset because they were forced to borrow up to millions of rupiah to finance the needs of the family. The transfer of teachers’ status from regencies/ municipalities to the provinces is still overlapping, in addition to the implentation of local elections in three regencies/ municipalities in NTT.

Principal of SMK Negeri Silawan, Belu Regency, Charlos Kilik Asa said, 32 state school teachers, two administrative employees and 4 temporary teachers at the school since January to February have not received salaries. To make ends meet, some teachers had to be motorcycle taxi drivers in the afternoon, go out to sea, or other side jobs. The teachers have difficulties financing the education of children in higher education, medical treatment for wife and children, and social affairs such as indigenous (adat) affairs.

Acting Head of NTT Education Agency Alo Min said yesterday, funding for 7,800 teachers from a total of 8,180 SMA/SMK teachers were transferred to 22 regencies/ cities. Funds for Manggarai Regency and Rote Ndao Regency had not been transferred due to incomplete data. He said salaries in January February for 7,800 teachers, on Monday this week has been transferred. There are problems of payroll data validation, decrees, and account numbers that do not match. Re-verification is being done by his party.