The National Examination: Fair or Not?

Last Friday, there was a talk that students from several high school at Surabaya would demonstrate against the new addition subjects to the National Examination which will be held on June 2008. I am not sure if those students truly did their action, since I haven't read any weekend newspapers, yet.

For the last few years, there were only 3 subjects included in the National Examination (UNAS); Maths, English, and Indonesian. Students have to gain minimum grade 5 of 10 to be passed from those exams. Further more, there must not be any grade under 5 in each subject. So, although one student gain a perfect 10 on Math, he/she wouldn't pass if, for example, the grade of his/her indonesian test is only 4.75.

I am not sure what the new subjects will be added to the next year UNAS. Anyway, I think it is necessary. Just think, a junior high school student also has three years to learn Physics and Biology, just like the three subjects above. So, why those two subjects shouldn't be included in the National Examination as well? The same reason goes as well for other subjects for senior high school students, like chemistry, economy and accountancy.

When I was still on high school, more than 10 years ago, the sum of the National Examination subjects was almost the same as the school examination. I think it was 5 subjects for junior high school and 7 for the senior years. Easier in my days? Of course not..........., I don't think so! The skill level required is almost the same between now and then. The materials are also almost the same. So, what's the big, heavy issues here?

I guess one main thing that make the students now recoil in thinking must studying more subjects for the UNAS is the grade system. In my days, there was also a rule that a minimum grade must be gained was 6, higher that nowadays rule. But it was an average grade, not individual. So, it was okay if one only got 4 in a subject, as long as he/she got much better grade in others. Further more, this UNAS grade was not the only factor in determining either a student passed his/her exam or fail. The major factor was still held by local exams done by each school.

I think the UNAS system now indeed unfair both to the students and schools. Three years learning only to be decided by one day exam only? In doing so, the government also undermine the school roles, as though they didn't believe in the teachers' works at all. Granted, the UNAS is still very important, but I think not for deciding the student passing grades, but more for help a student decide where he/she will go after this kind of school. Either he could continue to university or polytechnic or taking others short courses. So, the UNAS system will be more like SAT in USA or "A" and "O" level in Singapore. Let the school decide on its own either a student has fullfill his required skills or not.

But, in the meantime.....study hard, children! It's your obligation, doesn't matter if you should do three exams or seven. Give your best, and don't worry..after all, everything good will be ended well.