President Prabowo Calls for Improved Mathematics Teaching in Primary Education

Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the importance of enhancing mathematics education in primary schools during a limited meeting with key education ministers at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The meeting included Human Development and Cultural Affairs Minister Pratikno, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti, Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro, and their respective deputy ministers.

Abdul Mu’ti said that improving the quality of mathematics education was a central topic. “Today, Prabowo stressed the need for enhancing the quality of mathematics education and the methods of teaching, including the training of mathematics teachers,” he said.

Prabowo’s concern lies in the critical role mathematics plays in developing the science and technology skills of the younger generation.

“He believes that enhancing mathematics education for grades 1-4 and possibly introducing it to kindergarten students is vital for improving overall educational standards,” Mu’ti explained.

He also noted that discussions on curriculum changes and the National Examination have not yet taken place.

Indonesia’s scores in the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) have declined, revealing a drop in the academic performance of 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics, and science.

In the 2022 assessment, Indonesian students scored an average of 359 in reading, a decrease from 371 in 2018. The average mathematics score also fell from 379 in 2018 to 366 in 2022. Similarly, science scores dropped, with students averaging 383 in 2022 compared to 396 in 2018.

Indonesia’s PISA performance remains significantly lower than that of countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). OECD countries reported average scores of 472 in mathematics, 476 in reading, and 485 in science.

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