Jakarta (Kompas: 01/08/06) Implementation of curriculum set up by each education entity starting this year is expected to meet the standard set for students’ evaluation. However, many fear that schools might find difficulties in its implementation due to teachers’ unpreparedness and schools limited operational funds. “With the new policy, teachers are given full authority to set out their own curriculum, ands students will be the subject," said education observer Ahmad Rizali in a media forum on “2006/2007 school year new curriculum: Can it answer standardized evaluation of students’ performance" held in Jakarta on Monday (07/31).

Unfortunately, even though philosophically education has been decentralized, the evaluation is still carried out in a centralized national examination. Junior High and Senior High School’s national examination is still a key factor to determine students’ graduation. “This only confuses teacher in curriculum implementation, because the national examination remains the evaluation standard. This might force teachers to focus on how to make sure their students will be able to pass the national examination," said Rizali.

Head of the National Education Standards Agency (BSNP) Bambang Soehendro said, curriculum in education entity level drawn up by schools had to refer to the national education standard (SNP). "Therefore, national education standard on graduates competency, contents, teaching-learning process, evaluation, facilities and infrastructure, financing and education workers will be maintained," he said.

Related to implementation of this year’s curriculum, Bambang added, his agency has prepared a syllabus model for primary and secondary education. The model is expected to be finished in two weeks. "This curriculum could hopefully be implemented in all schools in 2009. The model will help teachers to implement the new policy," he added.