Seameo Celebrating 50th years, Pre Lunch Keynote speaker by Minister of Education

1. International Seminar on Education in
Southeast Asia (SEAMEO) Celebrating 50th
years. 8 Oct 2015
Anies Rasyid Baswedan, Ph.D., (Pre Lunch Keynote Speakers)
Minister of Education and Culture of Republic of Indonesia
Written by; Yusran Sarkararagib.
Mr. Anies Baswedan, ask the audiences to reflect ourselves, Do we have a teacher in
the past? Can you name 25 teachers since you were primary? Can you name 10
teachers? Can you name at least 5 teacher? How many teachers do you remember?
What was the teacher do you remember?
In 1922, Mr. Dewantor set up an inclusive school called “ Taman Siswa”, or students’
park. This was during the Dutch colonial rule and formal education was available only
for the Dutch and local royalties. In Taman Siswa, children of ordinary citizens could
enroll and were put in a joyful and stimulating environment. Mr. Dewantoro later
became Indonesia’s first education minister. His policy was that a school should be a
fun place. “Children go to the park happily, they play in the park happily, and they have
lunch in the park happily, when they are going home they feel sad”, said, Mr. Anies
Baswedan. “Okay, now look at our school condition. Schools often make students fell
stressed and tired, draining them of motivation. Student feels sad along the course in
the school, but they fell happy when they are going home”, said the Minister of
Education. The Government had attempted to reduce the overload of materials in 2013.
The government introduced a new curriculum that integrated subjects into a theme and
promoted character building and creativity. It calls “Kurikulum 2013”. But this approach
failed as many teachers were not ready to implement the new curriculum due to lack of
skills. The next question is “How do us strengthening characters and competencies of
the teachers?” said, Mr. Anies Baswedan. There are “4 (four) mantra” in order to
implement character building and competency namely:
1. Fun School (Joyful school)
2. Inspire teacher to inspire students
3. Create a good habit either in learning and school
4. Create a culture for everyone in the school
The most important and the least important of educator is Parents. Let’s share and build
connection with them. The role of SEAMEO is very important. They made a forum,
work together to make better teacher in ASEAN region. ”We will always neighbour,
right!" said the Minister accordingly.
I'd like to say thank you for SEAMEO QITEP in Mathematic for inviting me as participant
in seminar. It's awesome.
Cheers,
Yusran Sarkararagib