Comparison of Education Systems in Indonesia and Singapore

Comparison of Education Systems in Indonesia and Singapore

Education is a conscious and planned effort to realize the learning atmosphere and the learning process so that students actively develop their potential to have religious spiritual strength, self-control, personality, intelligence, noble character, and the skills needed by themselves and society. Education includes teaching special skills and also something that cannot be seen but more deeply, namely the provision of knowledge, judgment and wisdom. One of the main foundations of education is to teach culture through generations.

Education System in Indonesia

In the 2003 National Education System Law, it is stated that national education functions to develop the ability and shape the character and civilization of a dignified nation in order to educate the lives of the nation, aiming for the development of the potential of students to become faithful and fearful people of God, noble , healthy, knowledgeable, capable, creative, independent and become a democratic and responsible citizen.

Under National Education System Law No.20 of 2003, there are 3 levels of education in Indonesia, namely:

1. Basic education

2. Secondary education

3. Higher education

Education level in Indonesia

The level of education is the stage of education that is determined based on the level of development of students, goals to be achieved, and abilities developed. Education in Indonesia recognizes three levels of education, namely basic education (SD / MI / Package A and SLTP / MTs / Package B), secondary education (high school, vocational high school), and higher education. Although not included in the education level, there is also early childhood education, education provided before entering elementary education.

A. Basic Education

This education is an early education for the first 9 years of schooling for children, namely in elementary schools and junior high schools. During this time students study fields of study including: - Natural Sciences - Mathematics - Social Sciences - Indonesian - English - Arts Education - Sports Education.

At the end of the education period in elementary school, students must follow and graduate from the National Examination (UN) to be able to continue their education to junior high school with a 3-year education period.

B. Secondary Education

Secondary education is an advanced basic education, consisting of general secondary education and vocational secondary education. Secondary education in the form of Senior High School (SMA), Madrasah Aliyah (MA), Vocational High School (SMK), and Vocational Aliyah Madrasah (MAK), or other equivalent forms.

C. Higher education

Higher education is a level of education after secondary education which includes undergraduate, master, doctoral and specialist programs organized by universities. Higher education in Indonesia consists of several types, higher education is the level of education after secondary education which includes diploma, undergraduate, master, special education and doctoral programs organized by universities (Law, National Education System, article 19: 2003)

Higher education can take the form of:

1. Academy

2. Polytechnic

3. High school

4. Institute

5. University

Education System in Singapore

The world knows Singapore as a member of the Four Tigers of Asia. The country's growth is very fast, especially in the economy, trade and industry. As well as being one of Asia's most important financial centers and the world's main oil refining and distribution center, Singapore is also a major supplier of electronic components and a leader in shipbuilding and ship repair. The country that once banned the sale and consumption of gum also has more than 130 banks

The Singapore government runs a parliamentary republican government system, in which the power of government is in the hands of the prime minister. Singapore's current prime minister is Lee Hsien Loong, who is the son of Lee Kuan Yew, the previous prime minister who served from 1959 to 1990.

There are more than 80,000 international students coming from 120 countries currently studying at various levels and institutions in Singapore, ranging from state schools, private to state universities, polytechnics and also several other private schools in Singapore. The following is a chart of the education system in Singapore.

•    Kindergartens (kindergarten)

Schools with a 3-year education program for children from the age of 4 to 6 years. This 3-year education program consists of Nursery, Kindergarten 1 and 2. Kindergartens operate every day, five days a week, with study time of 3 to 4 hours per day.

•    Primary Education

This is a compulsory school program in Singapore with a 6-year education period consisting of 4 years of basic education from grades 1 to 4 and continued with 2 years of orientation starting from grades 5 to 6. The whole of this education program is to provide supplies to students in English, Mother Language and Mathematics subjects. In the last year (grade 6), students will undergo a national examination called PSLE ​​(Primary School Leaving Examination), which will greatly determine the future of their education.

•    Secondary Education (SMP + SMA)

Course education programs with a 4-5 year duration are specified in a number of Special, Express, Normal (Academic) or Normal (Technical) options, according to the results they get during the national final exam (PSLE). Different curriculum is designed for students according to their learning abilities and also the personal interests of the students.

At the end of this education program, students must again undergo national exams, either GCE 'O' Levels (for Special / Express courses) or GCE 'N' Levels (for Normal / Technical courses - students who get good results on the GCE 'N exam 'Their level can continue to the fifth year to take the GCE' O 'Levels).

•   Pre-University Education (Pre-University Education)

         This is a 2-year education program to prepare students to take the GCE ‘A’ Levels exam. Depending on the course they are taking and the final grade, students who graduate can continue their education to the University level at Singapore Local University. This program is only for those who wish to continue their education to one of the three local universities in Singapore (NTU, NUS and SMU).

• Polytechnics (Polytechnic)

This institution was formed with a mission to train mid-level professionals to support economic and technological development in Singapore. Providing a large selection of majors to students, polytechnics are intended to train students to develop themselves according to their respective interests and expertise so that they can get a place in the world of work after graduation.

• Singapore Universities (University of Singapore)

University Education in Singapore has a mission to prepare students not for the world of work today but to prepare them when they enter the workforce after they graduate. Singapore has three local universities, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), National University of Singapore (NUS) and Singapore Management University (SMU), all offering undergraduate programs that are internationally recognized.

Conclution

The Indonesian state is still lagging behind Singapore in the education sector. Evidenced by the differences in levels of education between Indonesia and Singapore, that is, a considerable difference in the level of primary education in Singapore is only 6 years while the country of Indonesia takes 9 years with details of 6 years of elementary and 3 years of junior high school, the next difference in state secondary education Singapore takes 4 to 5 years in this level, while Indonesia takes 3 years but Singapore at this level classifies students' abilities into Express, Normal Academic and Normal Technical, while Indonesia only uses acceleration programs in certain schools. So the settlement in the middle level in Singapore requires 11 years while the country of Indonesia is 1 year longer which is 12 years.

The Government should prioritize the world of education so that education in our country is not chaotic, the school or campus is more focused on curriculum, the next generation is expected to further develop the education of our country so that education in Indonesia is no less than other countries.