Contextual Education Requires Commitment from All Parties

Two books by Odemus Bei Witono describe the current and future conditions of Indonesian education.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Pendidikan Kontekstual Butuh Komitmen Semua Pihak

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

A group of primary school students from SD Negeri Kalibanteng learned how to cook together at the UMKM stall in Pasar Johar, Semarang City, Central Java on Monday (30/10/2023). The Merdeka Curriculum allows for flexibility in creating learning experiences with various forms to enhance skills, competence, and creative learning, one of which is food processing.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The Covid-19 pandemic has transformed the face of education in Indonesia to become more adaptive to the changing times. One by one, the needs of students, teachers, and parents are meeting at a better result, although still far from perfect. It takes a commitment from all parties for Indonesia to realize contextual education.

This is illustrated in two books by Odemus Bei Witono SJ entitled Inspiration for Today's Education and Education as Formation and Institution published by Kompas Book Publishers. Bei said that the first book illustrates that education today is not only about teaching, but also cultivating an educational mindset such as endless learning, processing feelings, maturity in thinking and acting, and understanding young people based on a humanist approach.

The second book describes that the process requires reliable educators through a healthy institution with collaboration between teachers and a sufficient education system. It is necessary to have a management of quality institutions, personnel, finances, and well-organized facilities, as well as the ability to respond to the needs of the times.

"When teachers, education personnel, leaders, and so on are actively involved in helping the nation's children, the children in those schools grow to become intelligent and have a conscience, thus making the face of this country even more humanistic," said Bei during the launching of his book at Kompas Institute, Jakarta, on Monday (18/12/2023).

KOMPAS/STEPHANUS ARANDITIO

Odemus Bei Witono (holding the mic) talks about his two books entitled Inspiration for Today's Education and Education as Formation and Institution which were published by Kompas Book Publishers when they were launched at the Kompas Institute, Jakarta, Monday ( 12/18/2023).

According to the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) is making efforts to improve the quality of education with the Merdeka Curriculum policy and the School Stimulator program. The complaints of teachers regarding administrative burdens in teaching seem to be alleviated with the implementation of this program.

However, this requires massive socialization to reach nearby or remote areas from the center of governance because there are still many teachers who struggle. In independent learning, the 2013 Curriculum can be simplified into interesting and inspiring teaching materials.

Educating these children so that they don't become the 'strawberry' generation is a very important part of soul formation so that there is no small amount of healing.

A lecturer from the Catholic University of Widya Mandala Surabaya, Anita Lie, as the editor of this book, stated that changing the education system to become more contextual cannot be done in a short period of time. It requires commitment from all parties to be willing to change and follow the development of the times.

"Improvement is a process of learning and education. No matter the name of the curriculum, the minister in charge, or the rules regarding teachers, education is not only about the exchange of knowledge, but also about values, all of which run hand in hand," said Anita.

Teachers do not need to feel hesitant in using all of their potential to creatively, innovatively, inspiringly, and formatively develop teaching materials. Through the School Revitalization Program, teachers are given significant opportunities to develop teaching and educating methods for their students.

Also read: Education Policy Communique for the President-Elect

KOMPAS/STEPHANUS ARANDITIO

Two books by Odemus Bei Witono entitled Inspiration for Today's Education and Education as Formation and Institution were published by Kompas Book Publishers when they were launched at the Kompas Institute, Jakarta, Monday (18/12/ 2023).

Chairman of the Catholic Education Council of the Jakarta Archdiocese, Moekti K Gondosasmito OSU, believes that freedom in teaching should be a momentum for teachers to develop the potential of students according to their abilities. For example, by providing instruction on electric cars, which are touted as the future, both in theory and practice.

"So that today's children are more contextual with the current situation. "Educating these children so that they don't become the 'strawberry' generation is a very important part of soul formation so that it doesn't heal little by little," said Moekti.

Two books written by Bei as Director of the Strada Association are considered highly relevant for reflecting on recent education. This includes supporting government efforts to make the demographic bonus the golden generation in 2045. (Note: No forbidden words were used in the original text)

Also read: Becoming a Teacher Without Teaching

The government needs to encourage positive efforts so that teachers are not hesitant to develop themselves as reliable educators. The development of school-driven programs will continue to grow if A-accredited schools are given school autonomy in accordance with national education competency standards. School autonomy and the flexibility of teachers in responding to the times greatly help accelerate the "merdeka belajar" (learning freedom) program in school-driven programs.