Name : Meiska Nabillah

NIM : A1M223057
Assignment : Project Critical Writing

Education in Indonesia: A White Elephant?

Education in general means a life process in developing each individual to be able to l
ive and live life. So being an educated person is very important. However, there are several fa
ctors that are problematic in the education system in Indonesia, especially regarding the low l
earning outcomes of Indonesian students compared to other countries. Indonesia has indeed s
ucceeded in increasing access to education in the early 1990s, with almost universal elementa
ry school graduation rates and positive trends at the high school level, but Indonesian student
learning outcomes are still lagging behind other countries. The main education policies of the
Indonesian government have not shown the expected results. This is important because the qu
ality of human resources is an important factor in driving economic growth and Indonesia's c
ompetitiveness at the global level. In the research by Kurniawati, Bima, Suryadarma and Yusr
ina entitled "Education in Indonesia: A White Elephant? (2018)" it is stated that education in I
ndonesia has problems, especially regarding the low learning outcomes of Indonesian student
s compared to other countries by SMERU . However, this study only uses PISA data, which o
nly measures the numeracy and literacy skills of 15-year-old students. This data does not cov
er other aspects of education, such as teacher quality, school facilities, and learning environm
ent.
Teacher quality is very important in the education process. Teachers play a very impor
tant role in the education system because they are the spearheads in the learning process. Teac
hers are responsible for conveying the knowledge and skills needed by students so that they c
an develop optimally. According to Juhji (2016), "teachers have a very important role in the e
ducation system, functioning as the main actors in implementing education programs in scho
ols". Rut Soewito (2020): Rut Soewito emphasized that teachers are professional educators w
ho are tasked with educating, teaching, guiding, and radiating students. He acts as an agent of
change who can change the fate of the nation through education. Teachers are expected to be
able to recognize children's difficulties and develop their potential and interests. In this conte
xt, teachers are not only teachers but also active communicators in community development.
The role of teachers in education is very crucial because they are not only tasked with convey
ing knowledge but also shaping the character and personality of students. With the various res
ponsibilities they carry, teachers are key to creating a generation that is ready to face future c
hallenges.
School facilities have a very important influence on the educational process and stude
nt learning outcomes. Adequate facilities, such as comfortable classrooms, teaching aids, and
learning media, are very important to create a conducive learning environment. These facilitie
s help students understand the subject matter better and increase their involvement in the lear
ning process, and students can also develop their creativity. Facilities such as art rooms, scien
ce laboratories, and information technology allow students to explore their interests and talent
s beyond the curriculum standards. This is important for the development of students' creativi
ty and practical skills. According to Lia Chayani and Januardi (2019): In their study, "The Eff
ect of School Facilities on Student Learning Outcomes at SMK Negeri 1 Pendopo Pali," that
school facilities contributed significantly to student learning outcomes. This study shows that
students who utilize existing facilities in schools, such as laboratories and teaching aids, achie
ve better learning outcomes compared to those who only rely on textbooks. The results of the
analysis show that there is a positive influence of facilities on learning outcomes, with around
13.48% of learning outcomes influenced by the available facilities. According to Permana (20
14): In his research, he stated that "social environment and school facilities significantly affec
t student learning outcomes". This study shows that students who study in an environment wit
h good facilities tend to have higher academic achievement compared to those who do not ha
ve access to such facilities. School facilities have a crucial role in supporting the educational
process and improving student learning outcomes. The availability and quality of facilities ca
n affect motivation, interaction, and effectiveness of learning, thus becoming an important fac
tor in achieving the expected educational goals.
The learning environment has an influence on the educational process and student lear
ning outcomes. Emotional support from the social environment, including family and peers, g
reatly influences students' learning motivation. A positive social environment can strengthen s
elf-confidence and encourage students to be more active in learning. Research shows that chil
dren who grow up in a supportive family environment tend to have higher learning motivatio
n. Amsyari (1986) explained that the social environment, including interactions with family, p
eers, and the community, plays a key role in the learning process. A positive social environme
nt can increase students' motivation and independence in learning, as well as shape attitudes a
nd values that support education. Baiti (2020) emphasize that a conducive learning atmospher
e or environment greatly influences the teaching and learning process. An environment that s
upports exploration and experimentation can increase student concentration and involvement
in learning. Creating a conducive, inclusive, and supportive learning environment is essential
to improving student motivation and overall learning outcomes. Efforts to improve the qualit
y of the educational environment must be a priority for policy makers and education practitio
ners to achieve optimal results for students.
Education is important as a life process that allows individuals to develop themselves
and contribute to society. However, the education system in Indonesia faces serious challenge
s related to low student learning outcomes compared to other countries. Although access to ed
ucation has improved since the 1990s, with almost universal primary school graduation rates,
Indonesian students' learning outcomes still lag behind. Research by Kurniawati and colleagu
es highlights that this problem is not only related to low numeracy and literacy skills as meas
ured by PISA, but also includes other aspects such as teacher quality, school facilities, and the
learning environment. Teacher quality is one of the key factors in the education process. Teac
hers act as educators and guides who are responsible for conveying knowledge and skills to st
udents. This facilities not only support understanding of subject matter but also encourage stu
dent creativity. Overall, to improve student learning outcomes in Indonesia, serious attention
needs to be paid to teacher quality, school facilities, and the learning environment. Efforts to i
mprove the quality of education must be a priority for policy makers and education practition
ers so that future generations can compete globally. That, improvements in the education syst
em will not only improve learning outcomes but also contribute to Indonesia's economic gro
wth and competitiveness at the international level.
REFERENCES
Suharti, (2013), Trends in Education in Indonesia, Education in Indonesia

Newhouse, (2011), The Value of Vocational Education: High School Type and Labor Mar
ket Outcomes in Indonesia, World Bank Economic Review