NATIONAL EXAM BEING USED AS TARGET OF PRACTICAL POLITICS?

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, April 15 (Antara) - Amid the general elections in the current 'year of politics', when the country will see a change in the leadership in October, the government is organizing a national examination for senior high school students.          A total of 2.8 million students from upper secondary schools (SMA), senior high Islamic schools (MA), senior high vocational schools (SMK), and Packet C students appeared for a three-day-long state examination across the country on Monday.          The 2.8 million students will become first-time voters in the July 9, 2014, presidential election. They can contribute a large number of votes to electoral contestants.          Therefore, it was surprising when it was found that the name of popular Governor Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, appeared in the Indonesian Language subject of the national examination.          As Jokowi was named as a presidential candidate by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), the inclusion of his name in the exam materials soon drew criticism.

SOME 2.8 MILLION SCHOOL STUDENTS APPEAR FOR NATIONAL EXAMS

By Andi Abdussalam
Jakarta, April 14 (Antara) - About 2.8 million students from upper secondary schools (SMA), senior high Islamic schools (MA), senior high vocational schools (SMK), and Packet C students appeared for a three-day long state examinations across the country, on Monday.          President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, through his twitter account, wished them luck for the national examinations, which was one of the stages they have to clear before taking up further studies at universities.          The format of the national exams held this year differs from that of the previous years. The results of this year's examinations will be used to gain acceptance at state universities.          "You must have high spirit while appearing in the exams," the President noted, expressing hope that students will perform satisfactorily in the national examinations.     "May you get satisfactory results," prayed the President.          The number of SMA, MA, and Packet C students appearing in this year's examinations totaled 1,644,713, while the number of SMK students taking the same exam was recorded at 1,184,987.