Results of Education and Behavior not in Line

KOMPAS/DIONISIUS REYNALDO TRIWIBOWO

Teachers of State Elementary School 6 Palu, Central Sulawesi, are giving Religion lessons to their students, Tuesday (16/10/2018).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Based on the results of the National Assessment held by the Education, Culture, Research and Technology Ministry, an inconsistency emerges between the results of religious education and behavior which appreciates humanity, as mandated by religious teachings.

The results of the National Assessment portray a high index of faith, piety and the noble character of students. However, at school, it turns out that the appreciation of diversity (tolerance in diversity) is still low, while harassment (bullying) and sexual violence are still high.

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"We are wondering, shouldn't religious education make students love their God, and be seen in the behavior of loving others and nature?

“But why is respect for humanity then so low in schools, as evidenced in behaviors such as harassment, sexual violence and [lack of respect for] diversity? This shows that faith, piety and noble character are not integrated with other things. Indicators in the National Assessment also need to be questioned and this should be a serious reflection of the education policy makers," said the chairperson of the Cahaya Guru Foundation, Henny Supolo, on Monday (4/25/2022), in South Jakarta.

According to Henny, religious education cannot be compartmentalized into formalized representation of faith, piety and noble character. Education, especially religious education, should encourage students' understanding as God's followers in the world, who must be able to act as human beings who have meaning to others and the environment.

Meanwhile, according to the instructor and practitioner of character education, Djohan Yoga, the struggle for character education is increasingly challenging because religion teachers are increasingly marginalized. In fact, religious education is a subject that is at the "heart" of character education.

KOMPAS/KRISTIAN OKA PRASETYADI

Students of SMP Negeri 2 Nanusa Miangas, North Sulawesi, greet their religion teacher and math teacher, Saturdaydewo Sono, on Friday (6/3/2020).

According to Djohan, family and community cannot be expected to optimize religious education as character education, because religious education is still at the level of rituals.

"So, don't be surprised if character education takes longer and is more difficult to implement, because religious education in schools has not been as expected. If it continues to be neglected, we will get a generation that is only smart, but without a good character," said Djohan.

Indonesia is one of the few countries that have religious subjects in the field of education. On report cards or diplomas, the position of religious study is even at number one. However, in fact, religious education has not received sufficient attention.

Limitations of religion teachers

Based on information gathered from a number of regions, the practice of learning religion is facilitated by religion teachers, whose numbers are limited -- most of them hold contract workers’ status. The chairman of the Regional Leadership Council in Malang City of the Indonesian Islamic Religious Education Teacher Association (AGPAII), M Muslih, hopes that there will be equality and partiality for all subject teachers, especially in the recruitment of the State Civil Servants (ASN).

"Let alone religion teachers who become civil servants, the percentage of those who are recruited as contract-based government employees (PPPK) is very small. Class teachers produce the nation's children. We [religion teachers] also produce the nation's children, form the character of students and so on. However, why is the PPPK ration still lacking?” asked Muslih.

The Islamic Religion Teacher of SMP Negeri 33 Jakarta state junior high school, Agus Dwijono, believed that understanding religious values allows students to respect differences and diversity. "Previously, Christian students had no religion teachers. I just invited [them] to stay in class and learn Islam. This is an opportunity to be able to discuss and recognize the teachings of each religion," he said.

Agus teaches his students not to hesitate to extend religious holiday greetings to other students of different religions. "I support tolerance among students of different religions becoming a daily behavior," said the PPPK teacher.

Now, many Christian students do not get religious studies at school because there are no religious teachers and their development is not monitored because they are merely relying on the evaluation of the church where children worship.

A Christian religion teacher at Sembawa Development Agriculture Vocational School, Banyuasin regency, South Sumatra, Amser Simanjuntak, said that religious learning should be in accordance with the curriculum. Now, many Christian students do not get religious studies at school because there are no religious teachers and their development is not monitored because they are merely relying on the evaluation of the church where children worship.

The chairperson of the AGPAII Central Board Council, Mahnan Marbawi, said AGPAII wanted to play a role in maintaining an inclusive and moderate religious climate. For this reason, religious moderation pioneering teacher (GPM) program was formed by involving non-Islamic religion teachers.

Teachers are made local and key actors in schools in order to fortify schools and all their citizens from radical terrorism, violence, intolerance and exclusivity. The program aims to develop an inclusive culture in the school environment.

KOMPAS/ERIKA KURNIA

An Islamic Religious Education teacher explains the lesson to grade 2 students at SDN 16 Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, Monday (3/1/2022).

Activities sowing the values of tolerance are carried out by religion teachers. The implementation varies in various schools, and might include meetings between schools, a week in residents' homes (staying at friends with different religions), traditional arts activities for tolerance, student camps, collaboration with extracurricular institutions, social services, visits to houses of worship and making and spreading content and narration on social media.

John Paul, 29, a Catholic religion teacher, believes that having religion is not enough. "Religious education is important because it teaches various perspectives and depth of faith," he said. (ELN/MTK/DKA/SKA/WER/RAM)

(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo)