Merdeka!
Yesterday was the country’s 60th anniversary independence day. After a long absence of going to flag-raising ceremonies, yesterday morning we all gathered up at the office for the ceremony. Somehow it gave me a “weird” sensation of seeing the flag hoisted up the pole, as we all sang the national anthem…
In a way (i guess) it also made me feel guilty to all the heroes who have (and haven’t) died for Indonesia’s independence, because up ’til now the country seems to still be facing a lot of problems like poverty, education and crime.
Especialy education, it is actually stated in the preambule of our UUD’45 (”mencerdaskan kehidupan bangsa”), but there are still many children who are not able to obtain primary and secondary schooling (9 years compulsary). I sometimes wonder…. if it is so compulsary, and if the government really wanted children to at least finish their 9 years education, why not just integrate Primary and Secondary. So before high school they all go to a 9-year schooling scheme. Sekolah Dasar (SD) should be a period of 9 years, providing to students all the basics and necessities for further advanced education.
This way, parents won’t have to go all the trouble of getting their children to a secondary school (SMP) and having to pay more for the tuition, uniforms, library fee and all those expenses they need to make when their kids enter a new school.
Up to now, still 5,39 Million illiterate Indonesians , half of them are between 10-44 years of age.
:: @RieF ::
