Name : Tia Nur Istianah

NIM/Class :1001050152 / D

Saturday, September 08 2012, 08:21 AM

Teachers as researchers; is it possible in Indonesia?

A.Chaedar Alwasilah, Bandung | Sat, September 01 2012, 2:29 PM

Paper Edition | Page: 6

The education law stipulates that teachers have a BA degree as the minimum
requirement. It further states that to be a professional teacher they must undergo professional
training, called PLPG or Pendidikan Latihan Profesi Guru.
Currently there are around 2.9 million teachers in the country, and only about a
million of them have taken the training. Considering the huge numbers, it is unlikely that the
rest will be certified within two years.
The current mass-certification program is criticized for its cost, its poor methodology,
and the appropriateness of its content. Recent findings of the teacher competency test (UKG)
of a sample certified teachers showed their average competence to be 46 on the 0-100 scale.
Ostensibly, the certification program has improved welfare, but failed to improve
quality of teaching, which is the bedrock of professionalism. This is consistent with the
findings of my 2011 survey on the perceived impacts of the PLPG.
I found that the certification program has (1) improved teachers’ welfare (34.4
percent), (2) not improved quality of learning (27.8 percent), (3) improved teachers’
professionalism (23.4 percent), and (4) improved quality of learning (13.2 percent).
At this juncture it is fair to learn from Japan, where teachers practice jugyou
kenkyuu, which literally means learning-teaching research. It suggests that doing research is
inherent in being a teacher. In other words, teachers are necessarily researchers.
Jugyou kenkyuu, popularly known as “lesson study”, has been adopted for teaching
junior secondary math and science in this country. Mindful of its success story, the
government has recommended that it is to be implemented in teaching all school subjects.
Koji Sato, consultant for JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), once
observed that in this country teaching and learning processes are not focused on the students,
but on the teaching materials. It is student-based teaching-learning that distinguishes
Japanese classrooms from Indonesian ones.
 Jugyou kenkyuu is a long-established method of teaching-learning, practiced even
before the Meiji restoration in the 1800’s. The method has seven characteristics as follows.
1. Reflection: critically thinking of what has been done in the past to prepare for a
better future. Teacher researchers strive for improvements in teaching, and reflective practice
provides them with insights for trying innovative ways of teaching.
2. Dialectic: problems are tested through rigorous questioning and contradicting.
Teacher researchers keep asking themselves what they believe and practice is just a
misconception. Teachers tend to replicate the way they were taught and take it for granted.
3. Collaboration: sharing knowledge and experiences with colleagues including
headteachers. A group of teachers work together on a project, not necessarily funded by a
donor or government. They alternate teaching and observing. They review the teaching
actions.
4. Anti status quo: the attitude that current practice and its sustaining policies are not
necessarily the best. Convinced by prolonged research findings, teachers would discontinue
the old practices to promote the new.
5. Look for alternatives. Teaching and learning are multiple realities, for which a
single solution is impossible. It is necessary to be open to multiple solutions.
6. Internalization of theory and practice. Jugyou kenkyuu translates as “action
research”. Action suggests practice or what actually occurs in the class. Research connotes
theory, something ideal and abstract. Action research consolidates both. Through action,
research teachers internalize both, so that they are not only skillful and resourceful in
teaching, but are well informed of the underlying theories.
7. Lesson learned. Action research operates in at least three cycles of teaching and
learning. Each cycle is evaluated to see both strengths and weaknesses, so that the next cycle
generates more refined and established techniques or methods of teaching.
Thus defined, classroom action research is teacher-friendly in many respects. The
teachers do not have to leave the job behind, as their classroom is the site of research as well.
Familiarity with the class is a head start to research.
As the class is the research site, colleagues may observe and even participate in the
research from A to Z. The more teachers involved, the higher the quality of research.
Moreover, research findings will be more readily socialized in the school as a community of
learning.
Obviously classroom action research is inexpensive. Researcher teachers are good at
killing two birds with one stone. That is, they do teaching and researching at the same time.
 For a long time research has been perceived as threatening, expensive, and formidable
for academics let alone for school teachers. Research ranges from simple to complex. The
essence of research, though, is not the cost, but the methodology and how its findings as
empirical truth are used for public benefit.
Every year a huge amount of money collected from public taxes is spent on
government-sponsored research projects. Often their reports just pile up in the warehouse.
The research findings just go unreported. That is a waste!
In a nutshell, by any measure empowering teachers to do classroom action research
seems to be the greatest model of teacher professional development. Sensei for the Japanese
implies not only ability to teach a school subject, but also commitment to instilling the living
values observed by the community. So to be a sensei, let’s do classroom action research.

The writer is a professor at the Indonesian Education University (UPI), Bandung, and a
member of the board of higher education, and author of Pokoknya Action Research (2011).
Synonym :

1. Competency (N) = Ability (N)

2. Ostensibly (Adv) = Obviously (Adv)
3. At this juncture (Adv) = At this time (Adv)
4. Inherent (Adj) = Nature (Adj)
5. Mindful (Adj) = Conscious (Adj)
6. Distinguishes (V) = Differentiates (V)
7. Funded (V) = Costed (V)
8. In a nutshell (Adv) = Short in time (Adv)
9. Replicate (V) = Imitate (V)
10. Refined (V) = filtered (V)

Summary :

Jugyou kenkyuu or as we know as “lesson study” is one of learning method which is

used in Japan. This method has a function for improving teacher’s professinalis. Jugyou
kenkyuu is along established method which has seven characteristic such as, reflection
(critically thinking), dialectic (creative in teaching), collaboration (sharing knowledge and
experience), anti status quo (attitude in teaching), look for alternatives (having multiple
solutions), internalization of theory and practice (action research), lesson learned (creating
methode of teaching).

Up to know, this method is used to make researcher teacher,as the greatest model of
teacher professional development. In other words, they do teaching and researching at the
same time, thereby implies ability to teach a school subject, and commitment to instilling the
living values of community in the class. This according to research give methodology and
how its findings as empirical truth are used for public benefit.
Name : Tia Nur Istianah

NIM/Class :1001050152 / D

Saturday, September 08 2012, 08:24 AM

Jakarta the magnet

The Jakarta Post | Editorial | Sat, September 01 2012, 2:43 PM

Paper Edition | Page: 6

The declining number of newcomers arriving in Jakarta along with the reverse
exodus of millions of people following Idul Fitri over the past few years is not necessarily
good news for the capital city. For Jakarta’s satellites of Bekasi, Bogor, Depok and
Tangerang, the trend is undoubtedly bad news as they have to carry the burden Jakarta used
to shoulder.

According to the head of the City Population and Civil Registration Agency, Purba
Hutapea, the number of post-Idul Fitri newcomers totaled around 50,000 this year, down
from 60,000 in 2011.

A fall in the number of people migrating to Jakarta was first seen in 2004, when
204,830 newcomers arrived in Jakarta but from 2007 onward, annual figures have
consistently dropped significantly.

Jakarta’s population growth is predicted to reach 1.41 percent this year, lower than
that of Jakarta’s neighboring cities, which are expected to grow at between 4 and 6 percent
this year.

The figures do not mean that people from rural areas no longer want to try their luck
in Greater Jakarta. That many prefer to migrate to Jakarta’s satellite cities may only indicate
that they cannot afford to buy houses in the capital; but they never give up their dreams of
working in Jakarta, as the city offers better earnings. This is evident in the big difference in
the city’s population count during daylight hours and at night.

It is true that Jakarta will shoulder a lighter burden than it did in the past due to the
shift in urbanization patterns. Jakarta may not need to build residential areas for the
newcomers, but the city still has to provide jobs, food, clean water, public transportation and
infrastructure.
 Urbanization, therefore, remains a daunting challenge that cannot be solely addressed
by Jakarta but must be assisted by neighboring cities and the central government as well.

Due to the complexities involved, the problems associated with modern-day

urbanization require the implementation of concerted measures under the coordination of the
central government if they are to be solved.

As always, the Jakarta administration has pledged to conduct identity card checks,
which in reality are no different from crackdowns, among newcomers. The raids, codenamed
Yustisi, are not only ineffective but they also violate the Constitution, which protects each
citizen’s right to move to any place they want.

The central government should play a key role in controlling urbanization. People
from rural areas or disadvantaged regions migrate to Jakarta to realize their dreams.

The crux of the urbanization problem is the unequal distribution of wealth in the
country, in particular between Java and the other islands and, more specifically still, between
Jakarta and the rest of the archipelago. The development of new centers of economic growth
will give people more choice in terms of destinations other than Jakarta, while regional
development will encourage local people to think twice before leaving for Jakarta.

In line with its bid to achieve sustainable food security, the central government may
have to pay more attention to developing the agricultural sector and agroindustry, which
would create jobs for local workforces.
Synonym :

1. Declining (N) = Decreasing (N)

2. Burden (N) = Problem (N)
3. Rural (Adj) = Settlement (Adj)
4. Earning (N) = Salary (N)
5. Pledged (N) = Promise (N)
6. Violate (V) = Disobey (V)
7. Encourage (V) = Suggest (V)
8. Shoulder (V) = Bear (V)
9. Daylight (Adv) = Daytime (Adv)
10. Exodus (N) = Trip (N)

Summary :

Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia which is in great population. The reason why
people wander about Jakarta is they want to reach their dream of working in Jakarata, and it
is supposed to get better earning there. However, the declining number of newcomers in
Jakarta around 10.000 than last year because almost people prefer to migrate to Jakarta’s
satellites city such as Bekasi, Tangerang, Depok, with the reason they can’t afford to buy
house in the capital. According to this phenomenon, the goverment is used to pay attention to
people’s welfare. Obviously, unequal distribution of wealth in the country is the one cause of
this case. Therefor, it should be cleaned up by developing of new centers of economic
growthother than Jakarta, key role in controlling urbanization,and food security to create jobs
for local workforces, in order to Jakarta doesn’t shoulder a big burden as usual.
Name : Tia Nur Istianah

NIM/Class :1001050152 / D

Moderate Muslims need to speak up

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | National | Wed, September 05 2012, 7:34 AM

Paper Edition | Page: 4

As many parts of the world face growing threats against religious tolerance from
radical Muslims, the role of moderate Muslims is much needed, especially to counter such
hostility, analysts say.

During the discussion of a book entitled Silenced: How Apostasy and Blasphemy
Codes are Choking Freedom Worldwide on Tuesday, one of the authors, Paul Marshall, said
that the growing radicalism is now a new worldwide phenomenon.

Marshall, who is also a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute Center for Religious
Freedom in Washington DC in the United States, added that this phenomenon has never
occurred before, and more Muslim authorities in recent years are suggesting that Sharia Law
should be enforced on non-Muslims in non-Muslim countries.

“The role of moderate Muslims is key, and more important than anything else, and if
you’re going to combat radicalism, in terms of debate and ideas, the arguments should be
made by Muslims, because they [radical groups] don’t know other arguments,” Marshall told
The Jakarta Post.

In his book, co-written by Nina Shea, Marshall said that most of the actual repression
was not done by the state. Some may be carried out by the states, but mobs, vigilantes or
terrorists did more repression. “Most of the accusations are vague, and often shaped by
political manipulation,” Marshall said.

Another finding in his book is that there are four major sets of victims: post Islamic
religion (Baha’is, Ahmadis); actual apostates, converts and unbelievers; Muslims of the
wrong type in the wrong place (Sunni, Shia, Sufi); and Muslim religious and political
reformers and dissidents (novelist, poets, journalists, political reformers).
 Marshall also said that the restrictions imposed on Islam believers are much worse
than the restrictions that the radicals impose on the non-Muslim, as debate within Islam is
usually considered more offensive. “If the people are not allowed to debate within Islam, then
debates on on culture, politics, economics, science and education also become restricted,”
Marshall said.

“Without religious freedom, there will be no political freedom,” he added.

Ahmad Syafii Ma’arif, former Muhammadiyah chairman, echoed Marshall

statements, saying that radical Muslims were basically the minorities, therefore the majority
of moderates have the power to condemn the radicals. “These radicals hijacked God for
political purposes,” Syafii said. “If Islam is led by the moderate, the enlightened people, then
I think Islam can compete with any nation,” he said. “However, the majority of moderates
prefer to be silent rather than to counter the radicals,” he added.

According to Syafii, the radicals are more vocal because their actions were based on
economics. “Even though Indonesia’s economic growth is satisfying, the number of
marginalized people in this country is still many, and most of them see their actions as part of
their livelihoods,” Syafii told the Post.

According to Marshall, the Indonesian government also plays a major role in

condemning radicalism, and the first thing that the government should do is review the 1965
Blasphemy Law.

The law basically stipulates that the government has the authority to dissolve
religious groups whose beliefs and practices were deemed blasphemous by the Indonesian
Ulema Council (MUI) and the Religious Affairs Ministry. Under the law, the government
also has the authority to charge leaders and followers of suspected heretical groups.

Marshall said that the Indonesian government has weak law enforcement, and the
blasphemy law has been used against the minorities. “The Shia leader was put in prison.
People think that this person is bad and shouldn’t be here, so the people feel more justified in
attacking him,” he said, citing the imprisonment of Shia leader Tajul Muluk in Sampang, East
Java last August and the recent attack of the group.

“I worry about radicalism here. The fact is that the blasphemy law has been used to
encourage and allow attacks by radicalists,” Marshall said. (nad)
Synonim :

1. Counter (V) = Against (V)

2. Enforced (V) = Conducted (V)
3. Combat (V) = Attack (V)
4. Accusations (N) = Charge (N)
5. Imposed (V) = Implemented (V)
6. Offensive (Adj) = Impolite (Adj)
7. Condemn (V) = Judge (V)
8. Vocal (Adj) = Talkactive (Adj)
9. Stipulates (V) = Adjustes (V)
10. Deemed (V) = Considered (V)

Summary :

At this juncture, Muslim is faced by growing threats against religious tolerance from
radical Muslim, and other radical action. Therefore, the role of Moderate Muslim is much
needed, to combat radicalism which makes many victims such as Muslim religious, political
reformers, and etc.

According to Marshall, the role of moderate Muslin is key, and more important than
anything else. Not only that role, but also government’s interference is important in
condemning radicalsim by using Blasphemy law. Indeed, the government has the authority to
dissolve heretical group in Indonesia.
Name : Tia Nur Istianah

NIM/Class :1001050152 / D

Indonesia extra cautious over financial fallout in Vietnam

Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Vladivostok, Russia | Headlines | Mon, September 10 2012, 10:37 AM

Paper Edition | Page: 2

Learning from the experience of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Indonesia is closely
monitoring developments in Vietnam with the latter ASEAN member at risk of falling into a
financial crisis that may drag down other countries in the region.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said in a press conference after the Asia-
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit on Sunday that he had received reports of the
situation and had consulted with his economic ministers about the problems.
“The trouble [in Vietnam] should be a lesson for us, particularly in 1)
gauging the
resilience of our economy against a financial shock,” said Yudhoyono.
“Indonesia and other fellow ASEAN members will be ready to help Vietnam through
the crisis without the country having to 2)seek a bailout from the International Monetary Fund
[IMF],” said Yudhoyono.
He also said that 3)assistance would be given through the ASEAN+3 mechanism, in
which China, Japan and South Korea had forged a deal with ASEAN members to jointly
weather the financial crisis without having to seek multilateral funds outside the region.
The deal would allow a member country access to a standby loan to address short-
term liquidity problems in the region and supplement existing international financial
arrangements.
The ASEAN+3 countries had prepared precautionary measures for the financial crisis
by 4)poolinga cooperation fund worth at least US$120 billion under the Chiang Mai Initiative
framework, signed in 2000.
Vietnam risks becoming the biggest Southeast Asian economy to seek an IMF rescue
loan since the late 1997 Asian financial crisis, as it moves to support a faltering banking
system, Bloomberg reported on Thursday.
According to a report by the economic committee of the Vietnam National Assembly,
as quoted by Bloomberg, the country may need IMF aid to recapitalize its banks and must act
quickly to clean up bad debt or risk “prolonged stagnation”.
The financial system, the assembly suggested, would need an injection of at least $12
billion.
However, Vietnam’s central bank deputy governor Le Minh Hung said that Vietnam
had no reason to seek loans from the IMF, given that the country’s macroeconomic situation
was stable.
 The concerns are unlikely to be downplayed by most of the region’s policymakers,
who are still gripped by the trauma of the financial crisis that forced ASEAN members
Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines to seek bailouts from the IMF. The crisis first
5)emerged in Thailand.

“Unless no wide-ranging measures are put in place, it could be contagion in terms of

sentiment within the region’s financial sector. In terms of trade, our exposure with Vietnam is
small,” said Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan.
Deputy Finance Minister Mahendra Siregar said the problems plaguing Vietnam were
similar to Indonesia’s during the 1997 crisis.
He said the trigger of the crisis centered on a lack of prudent governance in banks,
thus creating an excess of bad debts owned by related-party shareholders and recalcitrant
businessmen.
“We should not downplay the impact of the trouble in Vietnam 6)amid uncertainty in
the global economy,” he said.
As the host of the APEC Summit in Bali next year, Indonesia has initiated the forming
of an early detection system against financial crises in order to be better prepared for
7)weathering the trouble.

“With the system in place, APEC will have the capability to 8)absorb financial
shocks. That’s why we need better policy coordination and responses. We expect to be able
to draft this mechanism during the summit in Bali,” said Yudhoyono.
Synonym :
1. Gauging (V) = Measuring (V)
2. Seek (V) = Beg (V)
3. Assistance (N) = Help (N)
4. Pooling (V) = Collecting (V)
5. Emerged (V) = Happened (V)
6. Amid (Adv) = Center (Adv)
7. Weathering (V)= Solving (V)
8. Absorb (V) = Overcome (V)

Summary :

Now, Vietnam is falling into financial crisis that makes Indonesia extra cautious about
it. Financial crisis which is faced by Vietnam awaken ASEAN+3 countries in which China,
Japan, South Korea to give assistance for Vietnam. Indonesia as one of ASEAN member
participated in helping Vietnam through the crisis. It thinks of the problem which is plaugged
Vietnam were similar to Indonesia’s during 1997 crisis.
 The assistance would be given through the ASEAN+3 mechanism by collecting a
cooperation fund worth at least US$ 120 billion without having to seek a loan from IMF.
According to Deputy Finance Minister of Indonesia, this problem which is faced by Vietnam
because of prudent governance in banks. Therefore. Better policy coordination and responses
should be implemented to solve the problem, especially in Indonesia in order to prevent this
problem happen in twice.
Name : Tia Nur Istianah

Nim/Class : 1001050152/D

Lapindo disaster a ‘human rights violation’

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | National | Wed, August 15 2012, 9:33 AM

Paper Edition | Page: 3

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) announced on Tuesday

that the Lapindo mudflow in Sidoarjo, East Java, was a human rights violation and that the oil
and gas company PT Lapindo Brantas was responsible for the man-made disaster.

Komnas HAM chairman Ifdhal Kasim said that after a three-year investigation, which
began in 2008, the commission concluded that Lapindo Brantas violated 15 basic rights of
local residents in Sidoarjo, whose lives were disrupted by the disaster. The commission fell
short of naming the disaster a “gross” violation of human rights.

Ifdhal said the basic rights of local residents violated were the right to life, safety,
health, housing, employment, education, social security and education.

The commission considered Lapindo Brantas, controlled by Golkar Party chairman

Aburizal Bakrie, and the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, had failed
to guarantee victims’ basic rights since the 2006 disaster.

Lapindo Brantas, through its subsidiary company PT Minarak Lapindo Jaya, has paid
only Rp 2.9 trillion (US$308 million) of the required Rp 3.8 trillion in compensation to 4,129
victims from four villages in Sidoarjo: Siring, Jatirejo, Kedung Bendo and Renokenongo.

The government, as mandated by Law No. 4/2012 Article 18 on the state budget, is
required to earmark a budget for the disaster and so far has set aside Rp 500 billion in 2012 to
help Lapindo Brantas pay the compensation.

According to estimates from Komnas HAM, between 40,000 and 60,000 people had
been internally displaced after the mudflow submerged 10,426 homes in 12 villages in
Porong subdistrict alone.
 In its investigation, Komnas HAM also found that thousands of victims suffered from
respiratory problems. It reported that 81 percent of the victims suffered from lung problems
while more than 200 people had died from poor health.

Thousands of people lost their jobs as 30 factories affected by the mudflow ceased
operating.

Based on its findings, the commission issued a recommendation ordering Lapindo

Brantas and its shareholders PT Medco Energi Internasional and Santos Ltd., the government
and the National Police to make efforts to rehabilitate the rights of the victims.

The commission urged the companies to complete the payment of the compensation
scheme to mudflow victims as well as to plug the mudflow.

“Lapindo should cover all the loses, not only in the areas submerged by the mudflow
but all areas affected by the disaster,” Ifdhal said.

Komnas HAM said that those responsible could only be tried under the Criminal
Code, as the Human Rights Law did not cover crime against the environment, and
recommended that the police reopen investigations against executives of Lapindo. (cor)

Synonym :

1. Conclude (V) = Summarize (V)

2. Disrupted (V) = Annoyed (V)
3. Mandated (V) = Ordered (V)
4. Estimates (N) = Appraisals (N)
5. Displace (V) = Replace (V)
6. Submerged (V) = Sank (V)
7. Shareholders (N) = Investor (N)
8. Ceased (V) = Stopped (V)
9. Urged (V) = Asked (V)
10. Affected (V) = Damaged (V)
Summary :

According to Komnas HAM, around 15 basic right of local residents in Sidoarjo

which is savety, healths, ahousing, employment, education, social security, and education
was damaged by Lapindo disaster. As the result, this disaster which is considered as human
rights violation gives many effects for the victims such as respiratory problem, around 200
people had died from poor health, and thousand of people lost their job.

In conclusion, to overcome this probem, the commission asked the companies to

complete the payment of the compensation.
Name : Tia Nur Istianah

NIM/Class :1001050152 / D

Disaster preparedness in post-tsunami Aceh

Hotli Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh | Life | Wed, December 28 2011, 11:08 AM

A- A A+
The experience of huge waves dashing into Seulawet in Layeun village, Aceh, on Dec. 26, 2004, is
still fresh in the mind of Zohra Bukhari, 32, a resident of Seulawet on the coast of West Aceh.

People were panic-stricken, taking flight and screaming to give warnings about soaring sea water,”
said Zohra as he recalled the tsunami seven years ago. Zohra had to help his limping father to Ujong
Gle, a hill on a headland right across from the village.

On the hill, hundreds of Layeun villagers had taken refuge, gazing at the rumbling waves that battered
the hill. “The waves looked like very tall black walls, ready to overwhelm everybody,” added Zohra.
The powerful tsunami that ravaged even concrete buildings is a lingering trauma for Zohra, though as
a believer he tries to understand it as the omnipotence of God.

The devastation to the western coast of Aceh, besides serving as a religious reminder, has also
provided a valuable lesson not only to Zohra and the thousands of Acehnese affected, but also to the
world community that it could face misfortunes on the same scale. There is now awareness about
responding to the signs of nature: Strong earthquakes followed by receding water should prompt
people to immediately seek places of refuge on higher ground.

“We’ve made such signs an indication for us to save ourselves and also a very practical standard
procedure for coastal people to prevent the emergence of casualties,” Zohra said.

A tsunami can indeed result from an underwater quake. But shifting seabed plates can also trigger
enormous waves that travel thousands of kilometers away from the epicenter. That’s why the tsunami
that pounded the coasts of the Maldives and India didn’t start with tremors as felt by those in Aceh.

“Without being preceded by quakes, it’s surely very hard to predict. Even tsunami victims like us can’t
forecast another tsunami,” said Suarni, a resident of Layeun who survived the disaster. So far, she
has relied on the signs already learned in 2004 for early detection. Never has she thought that any
major tremor far beyond Aceh could generate tsunami waves reaching the coastal area where she
lives.

“If that is the case, we can only resign ourselves to God,” Suarni added. But knowledge and
awareness of disasters are extremely important to communities living on the western coastal zone of
Aceh, especially in areas without tsunami early warning equipment.
The lack of knowledge of village people, particularly those in disaster-prone areas, is attributable to
the lack of community-based education and information on disaster preparation. This is worsened by
the small amount of early warning infrastructure available, such as tsunami sirens.

“As far as I know, tsunami sirens can only be found in major cities like Banda Aceh and Meulaboh, not
in areas a bit farther,” said Suarni. The only place of escape in her village is the hilly area not far from
the coast. Most Layeun villagers, according to Suarni, managed to flee to the hill during the tsunami,
with only 10 casualties. But the lack of casualties was due to their survival instinct and the hill’s
proximity instead of their disaster knowledge.

“I’ve never heard my parents speak of big 1)calamities like tsunamis. It’s something new,” Suarni
said. In the reconstruction period, when NGOs and donor agencies flooded in, there were not that
many education programs to boost public awareness about disasters arranged for local people, apart
from housing development.

“Training on how to face earthquakes, tsunamis and other disasters was once provided, but only a
few times,” Suarni said. In Japan, education about calamity mitigation has been far more 2)advanced.
Japan’s disaster handling experience has taught many useful things to people in this mishap-prone
country.

“The awareness to anticipate disasters is even nurtured when children are still in kindergarten,” said
Kotaro Kinoshita, an announcer on Japan’s Fuji TV. This awareness is not well understood by Aceh’s
tsunami victims, according to Kotaro. He wonders why people in Aceh, particularly those in
3)
vulnerable areas, have no operational standard to face calamities, while the 2004 tsunami should
serve as valuable experience to anticipate similar situations.

In his view, this education is important as part of the public’s preventive action to reduce the number
of victims of tsunami-like disasters. Citing an example, Kotaro referred to the tsunami in Japan in
March 2011. “In terms of the damage it caused, the March 2011 tsunami was very 4)devastating. But
the total of its victims could be minimized because the public was aware of how to deal with such a
disaster,” Kotaro said.

The Japanese are also taught always to be prepared to face sudden disasters, for instance by
preparing bags filled with clothes, drugs and vital equipment for emergency circumstances. The bags’
contents are renewed every six months. “When a disaster occurs, people have 5)adequate supplies to
save themselves,” added Kotaro, who doesn’t see such preparation among people in Aceh.

The minimum knowledge of such matters in Aceh society has become a big challenge to all the
circles concerned with disaster warning and post-disaster handling in the province.

“We’re now 6)endeavoring to educate people to promote their awareness of disaster preparedness,
especially in areas vulnerable to calamities like tsunamis,” said Muklis A. Hamid, education and
training advocacy manager of the Tsunami Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC) of Syah
Kuala University.
The effort is meant to 7)boost the capacity of alertness training and the commitment of schools to
make themselves alert to disasters. “Today the TDMRC has several mitigation and disaster handling
education projects in 28 schools around Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar,” Muklis said.

The TDMRC provides education for the public from an early stage, with the aim of making disaster
anticipation and mitigation instruction integrated with school curriculums, particularly in Aceh. “Instead
of directly changing the school curriculum now, we’re first trying to include this education in some
extracurricular areas that don’t disturb students’ main subjects,” Muklis said.

Besides school instruction, the TDMRC also 8)attempts to educate society through a religious
approach by providing training for village preachers so that they will have disaster-preparedness
perspectives. They are later expected to 9)disseminate that knowledge to the public through their
sermons.

According to Muklis, Japan’s March 2011 tsunami showed that survivors of the catastrophe were
those with prior knowledge of the dangers and risks of the disaster they faced. With this awareness
they were capable of deciding the right things to do to save their lives and thus reduce the number of
victims.
“At least we strive to minimize casualties by providing mitigation training in vulnerable areas,” he said.

Synonym :

1. Calamities (N) = Disaster (N)

2. Advanced (Adj) = Progressed (Adj)
3. Vulnerable (Adj) = Troubled (Adj)
4. Devastating (Adj) = Destructing (Adj)
5. Adequate (Adj) = Enough (Adj)
6. Endeavoring (V) = Trying (V)
7. Boost (V) = Increase (V)
8. Attempts (V) = Tries (V)
9. Disseminate (V) = Allot (V)

Summary :

The experience of huge waves dashing the coast of West Aceh six years ago becames
an alertness for thr people who live in vulnerable area of tsunami disaster. Therefore the
preparadness should be done by the people in order to reduce the number of victims of
tsunami like disaster. In this case, the preparadness involves educational and emergency
circumstance. In the former, there are providing mitigation training, promoting people
awareness, and making disaster anticipation. And the latter is bags which consist of clothes,
drug, and vital equipments.