Inequal Education in Indonesia

Source: https://www.kabarpendidikan.id/2021/02/pendidikan-di-indonesia-yang-belum.html

“Is the education system in Indonesia spread equally?” is an educational problem that has not been resolved until now. In Indonesia, education is a conscious effort to prepare students through guidance, teaching, and/or training activities for their future roles. The Father of Indonesian Education, Ki Hajar Dewantara, defines education as a guide, meaning that education aims to provide direction or guidance to individuals so that they can achieve better progress and development in their lives.

Education is a provision of knowledge that is important for humans lives now and in the future. The Ministry of Education and Culture has determined that education is required for every child for 12 years to create superior human resources in Indonesia. However, the availability of education is still not evenly distributed, and there are still many children who have not received proper education. Indonesia has more than 200 million people living in various parts of the country. Based on UNICEF data, as many as 4.1 million children and teenager in Indonesia are not in school. This is supported by various factors, namely:

A. An Unsupportive Economy
An unsupportive economy can contribute to educational inequality in Indonesia for several reasons, namely:

1. Limited Access and Facilities In areas with a weak economy, access to educational facilities such as schools, libraries, and other supporting facilities may be limited. The lack of adequate educational infrastructure can hinder learning opportunities for people in the region.
2. Insufficient Education Budget When the economy is not developing well, state revenues will also be affected. This can lead to constrained education budgets, which in turn affect the quality of facilities, teacher training, and curricula in schools across the country.
3. Educational Mobility When the economy is weak, population mobility is limited. People tend to live in their home region and may not have good access to other areas that offer better educational opportunities. This can result in a concentration of skilled human resources in some areas and leave others without an educated workforce.

To overcome educational inequality due to a weak economy, teamwork from the government and society are needed. Greater investment in education infrastructure, increased education budgets, scholarship programs, and an inclusive approach to supporting students from lower economic backgrounds can help increase educational opportunities for all Indonesians.

B. Lack of Awareness of the Importance of Education
Lack of awareness of the importance of education can cause education in Indonesia to be uneven for the following reasons:

1. Low Priority for Education Many parents or families in areas that are not aware of the importance of education think that working or helping to earn a living is more important than education. As a result, their children may be faced with the choice of work or school, and they are more likely to choose work because of a pressing economic need.
2. Lack of Awareness of Long-Term Impacts Some communities may not be fully aware of the long-term impacts of poor or insufficient education. They may not understand how a good education can improve quality of life, create job opportunities, and help overall economic and social development.
3. Limited Information and Access In some areas, access to information about the obvious benefits of education may be limited. Lack of access to media, technology, or information that can increase awareness of the importance of education can be an obstacle.
4. Informal Education Dominates In some areas, informal or traditional education may dominate over formal education. This can lead to a lack of interest in formal education and the official curriculum offered by schools.

To overcome the lack of awareness of the importance of education, wider efforts are needed to provide education and information to the public. Providing education about the clear benefits of education, awareness campaigns, and local community involvement can help increase understanding of the importance of education in society.

C. The quality of teachers is relatively low

The low quality of teachers can cause education in Indonesia to be uneven for the following reasons:

1. Inability to Provide Quality Teaching Teachers with low abilities may not be able to convey subject matter properly and effectively. This can cause difficulties for students in understanding lessons and acquiring sufficient knowledge.
2. Lack of Motivation and Commitment Teachers who are of low quality may be less motivated to provide the best teaching to students. Low motivation and commitment can result in a lack of initiative to improve the quality of teaching, so that education does not reach an even standard.
3. Not Following Appropriate Curriculum Teachers who are of low caliber may not fully understand or follow the prescribed curriculum. This can lead to differences in the material taught, leading to inequalities in the knowledge and skills of students from different regions.
4. Limited Facilities and Support Educators working in areas with limited facilities and support may face challenges in delivering quality teaching. Lack of access to equipment, teaching materials, and training can affect their ability to provide an equitable education.

To overcome the problem of low teacher quality, efforts are needed to improve professional development and training for teachers. A more tight selection and recruitment system could help ensure that qualified teachers enter the education system. In addition, further incentives and support for teachers working in remote areas could help promote a more equitable distribution.

It can be concluded that education in Indonesia still faces major challenges in achieving a level of equality and quality that is evenly distributed throughout the country. Despite a number of efforts by the government and various stakeholders to improve access to and quality of education, there are still significant disparities between urban and rural areas and between more wealthy and remote areas. To overcome this problem, a strong commitment from the government, society, and all education stakeholders is required. Greater investment in education infrastructure, increasing the education budget, and providing equal opportunity and access for all Indonesian children are the keys to achieving a more fair and quality education. Through collaboration and team works, education in Indonesia can become a powerful tool for overcoming social and economic disparities, opening up opportunities for every child to achieve their dreams, and driving the nation’s progress in a better direction.

By Satuan Petugas Peminatan OSIS Bidang 10:

Putu Dewi Adelia Septya Paramita (XI-I)

Luh Feriska Berliana Putri (XI-E)

Article Reference:

1. https://lpmlimas.id/faktor-penyebab-belum-meratanya-pendidikan-di-indonesia/
2. https://metro.aspirasiku.id/ragam/amp/8428623085/ki-hajar-dewantara-mendefinisikan-pendidikan-sebagai-tuntunan-artinya