Reportase

NATIONAL EXAMEMINATION ON AN AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE

The Firdaus’ crew had a chance to make an interview with Mr. Kenneth Scott Moore. We do the exclusive one and we talked about the National Examination and the education in Indonesia especially here. The interview was so exciting and Mr. Ken answer every question enthusiastically. The interview is this following:


Firdaus : What is your opinion about the helding of National Examination in Indonesia?
Mr. Ken :Personally, I do not agree with the National Examination. However, I have talked to some students and they said that National Examination is good because it focuses so much in science and math and that is what a developing country needs in order to progress. But while that is good, I still don’t agree because every school is different. And schools who have a lot of money and a lot of resources have a harder time or have much easier time teaching their students. And poor schools with few resources have a hard time teaching their students. And when the government said one standard some school are not able to meet that standard. No matter how hard they try. Also it make students focus on what someone else think is important. You might have some students who is so talented in music and in art. And may be if they could focus on that they could be a very famous wood carver in Jepara ,maybe, or become a musician and already have the knowledge of music and art and be tested on that. But the National Examination make you focus on only what the government thinks you should learn.

Firdaus : Is there some kind like National Examination with the standardization from the state or nation in USA?
Mr. Ken :They are national standards and state standards. And I do agree with that. But the standards are only for curriculum. The state will say that our students need to learn this and this and this. And the school has the responsibility of teaching all those things. But school also has the responsibility of testing all those things. The school knows what they taught, so therefore they know exactly what to test on. In school with National Examination, the school just has to hope that what they are teaching is on National Examination. So the state does have standards, but they leave it up to the school to make the test. There are standard examinations but they are only to assess the progress of the school. The state give the school National Examination but they are only used to help make the school better. They have nothing to do with whether or not the student passed or failed. So if the students don’t pass the National Examination it doesn’t matter. But the school will get in the trouble.

Firdaus : After you taught here about eight months, according to you, what is the different between the student here and the student in America?
Mr. Ken :I will say that culture and education always mixed. So Indonesian people are more passive than American people. In the classroom Indonesian students are more passive than American students. Sometimes that’s good because the student in Guyangan are very well behaved and there are very few disruption in class. But students are more afraid to participate. Especially witht my subject, English, you have to learn by doing. So sometimes it is more difficult because the students are a little more passive than in US. But students attitude are still very good. And I don’t see any major problem with the students. Sometimes I see that maybe teachers could do more to motivate the students. But I don’t see a big problem with the students.

Firdaus :What is your idea about the possitive side and negative side on the education here?
Mr. Ken :One thing that I see as a negative is that the students will get burn out. Burn out means tired. The students will get tired because they have class everyday. And the examination last for two weeks. And it might seem like the students need to keep learning all of the time. But it is important to give students a rest. And let them remember all the things they learned. You need to learn a lot and then have time to remember those things and have time to apply the things you learned and give the students rest. So the thing that I see is that eventhough you only have class for maybe four or five hours in a day, in US we have class all day long maybe seven or eight hours, but you are more tired. Because you have class everyday. And outside the class there are still activities. So there is very little time for student for rest. And rest is very important when you are in school. But students who are motivated have a chance to learn so much maybe evenmore than in an American school if they wanted.

Firdaus : According to you, how should we study in effective way?
Mr. Ken :You have to find the way that suits yourself. Some people are visual learners, some people are audio learners and some people learn by doing. So what is important is that you think that studying is important. That is the first step is just to realize that studying is important. After that you need to find the way that is best for you. For example me. I am a very visual learner. So when I study I am constantly writing. So I can remember it in my mind and I can also write it down and see it. When I study Bahasa Indonesia, I make cards that said Indonesian word and English word. And then I write sentence that uses that words. So for me I have to always be writing. For some students maybe just reading is enough. Maybe you can just read the textbook, read a chapter maybe once or twice. And that is good for you. But for me I have to write. So the first step is just realizing that studying is important. But the strategy will be different for each person.

Firdaus : The last, what is your advice to Firdaus’ readers about this topic?
Mr. Ken :It is no secret that Indonesia is a developing country. And what that means is that when you are in school you have the responsibility. Because Indonesia is developing and so Indonesia will not develop until the students become adult and can make change. So in the developing countries education is the most important. Because you can be very happy being a farmer or being a sailor but it is more difficult to provide for your family. Especially when many other countries are becoming rich of a lot of technology and you watch TV and you see all these things and you want them. And you have to get them with education. So it is important to take school seriously. And like I said make sure you study. The National Examination are hard and I think they are not fair. But that doesn’t mean that you should not do your best on them. So study for your National Examination.(nafe’ulin_luthfi)

Cerpen

Almarhum Yang Kurindu
Oleh:Mahrus Syaiani

Senja itu begitu syahdu. Matahari mulai beranjak untuk pulang ke peraduannya. Angin sepoi-sepoi ikut menyemarakkan suasana sayonara dari sang bagaskara. Ujang, seorang santri lulusan salah satu pondok pesantren di Jawa Timur, tengah duduk termenung di atas gubuk di tengah pematang sawah yang tak seberapa jauh dari rumahnya. Pandangannya yang kosong menelusuri jejak-jejak padi yang menguning dan tertunduk diterpa sinar mentari. Belaian angin yang terus berdesir membawa kesejukan khas daerah pedesaaan.
Entah apa yang membuat pikirannya berkecamuk tak menentu. Dia sedang bingung, cemas dan gundah gulana, seolah telah terjadi pergulatan yang hebat dalam batinnya. Rupanya dia sedang meratapi kepergian Abah Rahman, sesepuh desanya. Abah Rahman adalah orang yang pertama kali mengajarkan agama Islam kepada penduduk di desanya. Lantaran Abah Rahmanlah penduduk kampungnya dapat mengenal apa itu Islam, mengenal Nabi Muhammad SAW, sampai mengetahui permasalahan halal dan haram. Sayang, sang panutan itu sudah dipanggil Allah SWT saat Ujang tengah menuntut ilmu di pondok pesantren. Dia mendapat kabar kalau sesepuh desa ini meninggal, melalui surat yang dikirim oleh salah seorang sahabatnya diwaktu kecil yang dulu sama-sama ngaji pada Abah Rahman. Ujang teringat kembali betapa sabar dan telatennya abah saat mengajarkan ilmu agama pada murid-muridnya. Seolah tak terbesit sedikitpun rasa bosan selama bertahun-tahun berdakwah mulai dari nol. Itupun tanpa meminta imbalan apapun kecuali kesungguhan para murid untuk belajar dan mengamalkan ilmu yang telah disampaikannya. Begitu tawadu’nya sikap abah sehari-hari hingga masyarakat menjadi semakin kagum pada pribadi beliau yang luhur. Keadaan kampung Ujangpun sedikit demi sedikit berubah dari yang dulunya kacau dan gersang akan agama, berubah menjadi damai dan tenteram.
Tapi sejak kematian abah, keadaan masyarakat desa itu kembali jauh dari syariat Islam. Togel dan sabung ayam kembali bermunculan, pelacuran kembali marak, masjidpun sudah kehilangan daya tariknya. Sepi. Entah apa yang harus Ujang lalukan mengingat dia adalah salah seorang lulusan pesantren. Tanpa disadari, tetesan bening mengalir dari pelupuk matanya. Ia marah pada ketidakberdayaan-nya. Ia juga marah pada keadaan yang terlampau berat untuk dihadapinnya. Batinnya merintih perih, pedih oleh beban batin.
Ditengah tangisannya , hati Ujang yang penuh kerinduan pada Abah Rahman berucap:
“Ya Allah .... mengapa Kau benamkan mentari desa kami? Mengapa Kau ambil Abah Rahman dari sisi kami dengan begitu cepat? Sungguh kami ikhlas akan takdir-Mu, tapi tidak bolehkah kami merindukan ketawadu’an Abah Rahman, merindukan mau’idzohnya, nasehat-nasehatnya, dan merindukan ma’mur masjid kami dengan lantunan ayat-ayat-Mu yang beliau ajarkan pada kami?”

*****

Tangis itu sudah reda ketika tiba tiba terdengar suara seseorang mengucapkan salam.
“Assalamu’alaikum!”
Suara yang penuh wibawa tersebut rasanya sudah tidak asing lagi ditelinga Ujang. Laki-laki kurus itupun langsung terkejut melihat siapa orang yang memberi salam. Sesosok lelaki berwajah agak keriput berdiri di hadapannya. Wajah itulah yang selama ini begitu dirindukannya. Wajah dari orang yang mengajarinya membaca untaian kalamullah setiap ba’da maghrib, dan juga wajah dari orang yang berhasil menghembuskan nafas Islam di desanya. Beliaulah Abah Rahman. Serasa di alam bawah sadar, Ujang menjawab salam Abah Rahman dan mencium tangan Abah Rahman dengan penuh ta’dzim. Kemudian Abah Rahman berkata
“Anakku, sekarang sudah waktunya sholat maghrib. Mari kita kembali ke desa!” ujar Abah Rahman.
“ Bab...baik abah.” Jawab Ujang dengan gugup
Sebenarnya Ujang merasa amat penasaran dan kaget perihal kemunculan Abah Rahman. Peristiwa itu terasa amat mustahil mengingat sang abah yang telah mangkat.
Mereka berduapun berjalan beriringan menuju ke desa. Mereka menyusuri pematang sawah yang terlihat remang- remang karena terhalang kabut senja. Tampak di ufuk barat sana matahari mulai meredup sinarnya. Nyanyian jangkrik mulai bersahutan di bawah dedaunan dan bebatuan yang melindungi mereka.
Dalam perjalanan, Ujang menceritakan keadaan di desa sepeninggal Abah Rahman. Mulai dari anak-anak yang lebih suka nongkrong dari pada mengaji di masjid, togel dan sabung yang kembali muncul, sampai orang-orang kaya yang tidak mau mengeluarkan zakat untuk para fakir miskin. Sebagai santri lulusan pesantren, Ujang merasa sangat berdosa karena dia tidak bisa berbuat sesuatu. Ia hanya tertegun tak berdaya melihat keadaan desanya. Padahal setatusnya adalah santri yang notabene dapat menggantikan peran abah dimasyarakat. Mendengar pengaduan Ujang, Abah Rahman pun memberi sebuah nasehat bagi Ujang. Abah Rahman berkata
“Ambillah satu tangkai kefakiran beserta daun sabar dan sebutir tawadlu. Lalu ambillah sebatang khusyu’. Asahlah rendah diri dan kesucian hati, taburkan benih-benih kasih sayang nan lembut yang bisa diterima masyarakat. Celuplah mahabbah (cinta) sampai berbusa buih hikmah (kebijaksanaan). Lalu, jernihkanlah dengan saringan dzikir, tuangkan ke dalam cangkir ridho, kipasilah dengan angin pujian dan rasa syukur keada Allah hingga dingin. Jika sudah dingin, minumlah. Lalu setelah itu berkumurlah dengan sifat wirai. Insya Allah akan ada jalan untukmu”.
Nasehat itulah yang nantinya diharapkan akan menjadi senjata Ujang untuk mengembalikan keadaan desanya seperti sediakala. Setelah memberi nasehat pada Ujang, suara Abah Rahman tak terdengar lagi. Saat itu pula Ujang menoleh ke belakang dan ternyata Abah Rahman sudah tidak ada. Seolah beliau lenyap ditelan bumi.

*****

Saat itu Ujang seakan baru bangun dari alam bawah sadarnya. Untaian tasbih dilafalkannya pada Al-Khalik, Dzat yang penuh misteri. Sayup-sayup terdengar suara adzan dari pengeras suara masjid di kampungnya. Dia masih bingung atas terjadinya peristiwa tadi. Lalu tiba-tiba, ia teringat pada sebuah ayat dalam Al-Qur’an yang artinya:

“ Dan janganlah kamu mengatakan (bahwa) orang-orang yang terbunuh dijalan Allah (Mereka) telah mati. Sesungguhnya (mereka) hidup tapi kamu tidak menyadarinya.”

Subhanallah.....!!! terpekur Ujang menyaksikan kekuasaan Allah....[hilmanking]

Kemarab

Kغيرة التعليم

هل تحس ان ثقافة النعاس خصة الدروس صار وجهة لعموم الطلاب ؟ إما في المدرسة الا بتدائية, اوالمدرسة الثناوية او المدرسه العلية . حتى يكون احد من الطلاب لقب "بعيد الناس"

و هذا ينبغي ان لا يحدث إذا ملك الطلاب غيرة التعليم الكبيرة . غيرة التعليم يعني همة لنيل العلوم للطلاب . و همة ليختضع العوائق في المتعلم , احادها نعاس .

والذى يهتم ايضا هو الدوافع . لا يمكن وجود غيرة التعليم إلا بالدوافع القوى . مثله امل , الحب العشيق , القدوة و غير ذالك . فكل من الطلاب يفارقون في حملة دوا فعهم . و ذالك يأ ثرقوة احتمال الجسمي و النفسى من ه ج و م ا ل ت ع ا س .
ثم ا ر ي د ا ن ا ج ر ب م إلى ملافتة الكلام . يمكن ان الا كثريهة الطلاب الذين يرقدون عند خصة الدراسة , هم الذين يهملون إلى مستقبل و الذين او الوطان . لا يتعرفوا ان احوال الكبير محصول من الاحول الصغير . لو كان جيل شباب الوطان يعملون كذالك (اى اهمال إلى مستقبل , و الذين والوطن) هل يمكن معمور البلاد موجود ؟ لا يمكن , لان الشباب اليوم رجال الغداء اى الأمراء في المستقبل .

في الحقيقة , ان ثقافة الرقد يستطيع ان يوعد بالاحوال . و بعضها :

1. وجود المواصلات المتنا سق بين الا ستا ذ والطلاب ليكون مقا صد الدراسة نجاحا
2. ما احسن إذ يضع الاستاذ ابداعا في الطر يقة الدراسة لدفع الملل في خصة الدوس
3. ينبغي للطلاب ان يتعرفوا ان الأشغالة الاولى لهم هم المذاكرة الدروس
4. الاخير والاهم الشئ هو غيرة التعليم من كل الطلاب لنيل العلم بكثرة ممكن .


أهمم يا صد يقي !!!

إختضع : Menundukkan

دوافع : Motivasi

قوة الا حتمال : Daya Tahan

المتماسق : Harmonis

ملا فتة الكلام : Spekulasi

يهمال : Masa Bodoh

مواصلات :Komunikasi

ابداعا :Inovasi

ملل :Jenuh

مستقبل :Masa Depan

ثقا فة :Kebudayaan

جيل :Generasi