In the early month of May, I have been seated in powerful talks on inequality education. One of the turn point was how structural education shaped where we are now, particularly in urban and rural areas. As it addresses the disparities in access to knowledge and opportunities that exist across various demographics.
After some discussions, we shared some key points on how education shaped. They were based on resources and infrastructures, curriculum and governmental aspects, our passion for learning, and family. Most of students in rural areas often have limited resources, facilities, transportation and barriers, and more educational materials at a severe disadvantage compared to the more equitable distribution of educational opportunities.
The Indonesian curriculum, maybe designed to have broad range of subjects and that students should be well-rounded in multiple areas, and as we discussed yesterday, it can sometimes lead to students feeling overwhelmed and struggling to maintain their interest in several subjects, which are not something they passionate about. It leads us to why is the curriculum needed to be fixed, despite everything would be changed. I know the variety of subjects can help us develop broad range of skills, but it will also make us feeling overwhelmed by the courses we expected to learn, which leads to the lack of performances in the subjects. The focus can also result students not having the opportunity to dive deeply into subjects they interested in, especially they tend to adapt for what truly their passion is.
The third one, family. One says the family is a crucial role to shape how we see education due to the significant it has on a child’s development and environment. Does who have the privilege on their family where a child grows up actively can impact their educational opportunities and quality.
A cohesive social network of well-educated individuals socializes children to expect that they too will attain high levels of academic success. This social capital can also transmit cultural capital by teaching children the specific behaviors, patterns of speech, and cultural references that are valued by the educational and professional elite. By demonstrating a love for learning and a commitment to education, they instill these values in their children, which can positively impact their academic performance.
In the context of today’s technological advancements, it is crucial to prioritize the promotion of equity and equity in education. This requires not only ensuring access to the internet to those lacking infrastructure, but also implementing programs that involve volunteer efforts in creating a comprehensive support system for rural areas and address their needs for education. Communities have the ability to provide assistance for social-based learning initiatives that can blend academic learning with practical applications, such as volunteering opportunities and apprenticeships. This can helps students develop their skills and build connections between their education and the broader community for better quality in future education.
