Argumentative Essay by :

Atika Puspiatasari(121311233147)
Dea Sisca K.

(121311233161)

NATIONAL EXAM SHOULD BE BANNED

The issue whether National Exam (UN) should continue to be applied

as education standards in Indonesia has been vastly debated in our
community for many years. It is an important issue because it concerns
with the whole condition of Indonesias education which is the main
fundamental feature of Indonesias development. Several of different
arguments have been put on to this issue. However, it is our contention
that there are many negative things happen in the history of Indonesias
National Exam and some refutable arguments which shows that National
Exams should be banned.
Arif Rachman (kemdikbud, 27/09/13) asserted that UN bring positive
effect by bring together the power of students, teachers, and all beings in
an atmosphere of education in Indonesia, which uphold the unity and
sovereignty of Indonesia. National Exam, so this argument goes, has
shown many improvements and getting better in terms of
implementations. However, it is also asserted that there are many unity
in the atmosphere of education in Indonesia that uphold the work of
deception which negatively effecting the national exams by leaking the
answer key to the participant of UN. In fact, Jawa Pos (12/5/14) reported
that 70 headmasters and teachers in Lamongan were captured for
working together to steal the national exam paper and giving the key
answer freely. Moreover, similar events have been occurred for many
years such as 900 findings of fraud and 200 of which are related to the
leaking problem in 2010, 87 findings of fraud in 2011, and 775 leaks
cases in 2012. In addition, several problems in implementations of
National Exams such as confuses in certain region about UN new system
in 2009, irregularities in UN auction process conducted by The Supreme
Audit Agency (Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan) that resulted of Rp 8,2 billion
losses to the state in 2012, unfinished printing and delay in the
distribution of National exam materials in 2013 has also been reported via
okezone.com (17/04/14).
Jusuf Kalla (Tribunnews, 27/05/13) argues that without The National
Exam, Indonesia will not have a national education standard and fall

behind from other country. He argues that National Exam is a form of

change to achieve a good standard in Indonesia. However, it is claimed
that Finland which hold the crown for best education system in the world
and certainly not left behind from other countrydid not have National
exams (Kompas 9/10/13). Moreover, Finland believes in the power of
teaching collaborations and limiting the test for students. In addition,
Finland ensures the equality of education and prioritizing education
process that understands the uniqueness and quality improvement for
each student. Furthermore, Finlands way to control their education
system is by cultivate trust to teachers, increase autonomy, and tolerate
diverse education. This system that was applied by Finland could be an
alternative for our country.
Khairil Anwar (Okezone, 05/03/12) asserted that National Exam is
used to determine the conditions of education in each region in Indonesia.
National exam, as this argument goes, can be use to determine the
strengths and the weaknesses in each area. However, as Linda Hammond
(2012) explains, nationalization of school exams can not address the
problems of educational conditions that exist in different areas because it
cannot create learning strategies that appropriately cover the differences
of social, economy, cultural, and technological backgrounds in each
regions. Every area has different problems and needs that cannot be
solved by generalize the treatment and standards. It would be better if
every region conducted their own examination standard so that every
area not only can be easily monitored but also create more focused
creative solution and strategies.
National Exams is unnecessary because it has been going on for
many years, yet it still full of problems and shows that this system is
unlikely suitable for this country. This system is not just a failure, but
somehow also changes the real purpose of education in Indonesia by
forcing Indonesian Student lack of respect and comprehension to the
importance of knowledge. In addition, it is unfair to summarize a 3-year
education experiences in a 3-day national exam.
In Conclusion, National exam should be banned. Our Future children
does not need to tolerate any cruelty and dishonest movement behind
National Exam anymore.