Synergy Needed to Meet Facilities

Kompas, page 12, Saturday, April 15

Computer-based national exams for High School/ Vocational High School (SMA/SMK) conducted for two weeks have in general run smoothly. However, for the sake of improving the quality of learning in the digital era, the central government and regional administrations should synergize in the procurement of information technology infrastructure. Inspector General of the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud), Daryanto admitted that there were still some constraints, especially for electricity and internet network. Improvements should continue to be explored involving the State Electricity Company (PLN) and the State Telecommunications Company (PT Telkom).

Based on data of Kemdikbud’s Research and Development Agency, out of the 1.8 million high school students who took the National Exams/UN, 1,145,341 students took the Computer Based National Exams/UNBK. That means 9,661 schools have implemented the UNBK. The schools were divided into 7,689 SMA/MA which conducted UNBK independently and 1,972 SMA/MA conducted UNBK by boarding/sharing with other schools. Some schools in West Java even required the students to jointly rent vehicles to take them to the UN organizing school which is 32 kilometers away from their school of origin.

Head of Research and Development Agency of Kemendikbud, Totok Suprayitno explained that the decision to share should be based on the agreement among teachers, students, and students’ parents. There should be no coercion. If consensus is reached to remain going to another school for the UN even though the distance is relatively far then it is okay provided that no party is burdened.

Meanwhile, during a work visit in Dobo, Aru Islands Regency, Maluku, Thursday, Minister of Education and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy said that the fulfillment   of quality basic and secondary education facilities and infrastructure needs to be effected.  Moreover, currently, the fulfillment of quality educational equipment-infrastructure is one of the priority programs of schools.   He encourages the regional administrations to commit strongly in improving education. Central government assistance is limited. Because, only about 62 percent of the total education budget is transferred to the regions.