Character : an Old Obsolete Concept

Long time ago the concept of character building or Pendidikan Karakter "reverberated" among schools in our country. What about now? To me, though the existence of the 1st core competence (read: KI 1 or Kompetensi Inti 1) in K-13 shows that we still agree and implement the character, it is still "defeated" with the existence of KI 2. Consequently, what we can hear nowadays is only about PISA and TIMMS... What we see is the phenomena of "high level" National Exam or UNAS. About the noble character? (I hardly hear it.. especially when It comes to UNAS )

Character building is not something new, but somehow we must admit that this is what we need now and later.Character building is proven effectively change the colonized nation into advanced nation. Korea is the great example regarding to this issue. 30 years long colonized by Japan, this country nowadays is able to be Japan’s competitor by applying character education towards its citizens.

            Character is a system of building the character values to the students that include components of knowledge, awareness or volition, and actions to implement those values. In character education in schools, all components (stakeholders) should be involved, including the components of education itself, such as the content of curriculum, learning and assessment process, the quality of relationships, school management, implementation of the activity or extra-curricular activities , the empowerment of infrastructure, financing, and work ethic of all citizens of the school.

            In spite of various shortcomings in the practice of education in Indonesia, character building education must be included in the material should be taught and mastered as well as implemented by the students in daily life. The problem comes out when character building education in school so far is only taught on the level of norms’ or values’ introduction, and yet at the level of internalization and action in daily life.

Not only each subject, but also extra-curricular activity is integrated with character building. Extracurricular activities are educational activities outside of subjects to assist the development of students in accordance with the needs, potential, talent, and their interests through activities that are specifically organized by educators and / or education personnel are capable in school. Through extra-curricular activities, students are expected to develop their ability and sense of social responsibility, potential and achievements. Those plans about character education seem virtuous, but can the government make sure that those are easily implemented?

The other problem is that the educators as the model for students are not yet proper. As character education’s definition is a national movement creating schools that foster ethical, responsible and caring young people by modeling and teaching good character through emphasis on universal values, many of educators in Indonesia are morally below the standard. Moreover, some educators in certain districts commit crimes such as: adultery, bullying, and even child molestation.  This may justify that we are not yet ready to implement character education in school.

There are many other things should be highlighted in implementation of character building in Indonesia. Hopefully, with the new minister of education, come new practical and feasible concept of implementing character building in this contry. Wallahu a’lam bi al shawab.