Jakarta (Media Indonesia: 20/06/06) The most tormenting moments for parents and Senior High School students is over. The National Education Ministry has announced the good news that the national examination for senior high school has produced a spectacular outcome. This year’s passing rate for senior high school  is 91.43%, an increase compared to last years’ passing rate of 80,76%. This means, less than 10% of students failed in the national examination

The passing rate being above 90% seems to prove that Indonesian education quality already has a certain standard. Or in other words, disparities between students in under-developed and in developed regions, between those in Java and outside Java are no longer a problem anymore.

However, the real problem is not that simple. Education sector still hide crucial complications. This sector has not become the sources of quality as shown by the passing rate figures. This sector has not passed the trial to become the nation’s source of quality.

The most upsetting question is what does the grade serves for students enrolling to universities? What do those figures mean for those who do not pursue higher education and chose to find a job? The current university recruitment system ignores passing grade. Why? Because passing the national final examination does not guarantee that students could enroll to higher education. They still have to take admission tests held by higher education institutions.

If high school national examination is that important and reliable, universities should not carry out another selection process. They just need to set the lowest national examination passing grade for students to enroll in order to maintain universities’ image and quality.

For instance, a university set that it would admit new students whose passing grade are above 8. Therefore, only students getting above 8 in the national examination could enter the university; while those whose passing grade is lower than 8 could not enter the university in question.

But now, what is going on? Students that have been admitted to universities in previous selection failed in the national examination. Amid the spirit of commercialization in higher education, including state universities, there is no difference between high school graduates having high or low passing grade.

Those having a low passing grade could enroll if they can pay, including in universities that apply a high quality standard. This will eventually deteriorate the university’s quality. Do not ask about what those figures mean for job-seekers. In the professional world, high school graduates are considered as a source with no competence except for rough work.

The Education World is being denied… denied by other education institutions and by the professional world. Passing grade is important, but the most important is the establishment of an education system of quality from elementary school to universities.