Yogyakarta (Kedaulatan Rakyat: 26/07/06). With the increasing demand for education, the number of students enrolling to Education Faculty is quite stable and tends to increase.This is due to good prospects of education programs. Moreover, the tuition fee is not very expensive while the job opportunity is still wide open. However, the number of university graduates does not balance the job creation; therefore, the people tend to be quite selective in choosing their study program.

This is the opinion of some universities leaders interviewed by KR in separate occasions on Tuesday (07/25). Deputy Rector III of Ahmad Dahlan University (UAD)Yogyakarta, Drs Kasiyarno MHum, says even though some private universities have been complaining due to the declining number of enrolling students, the interest of candidates to enter Education Faculty is quite stable.

According to him, many believe that education faculty graduates could easily get a job.  The huge number of teachers wanted in the recent civil servant recruitment has indirectly motivated new students to enroll to education faculty. ”The earthquake that rattled Yogyakarta and its surrounding areas on May 27 has affected the number of enrolling students. However, the number of student registering to education faculties is quite high.” Among several programs offered, English and Math are quite attractive. Even though the economic condition is not stable yet, we are optimistic to achieve the target that we have set,” he said.

The dean of education faculty at the Yogyakarta State University (FIP) UNY, Drs Muh Farozan MPd, concurred, saying there is a trend of growing number of students enrolling to education faculty. Last year there were 1263 students at the education faculty in the Yogyakarta State University, both in S1 or D2 degree, in seven study programs. In the new school year, 69 students have registered in non regular program only; overall 119 students have registered in 5 programs. The number of students enrolling to Education faculty each year reaches 600.

”From that figure, the highest increase is recorded in elementary school and kindergarten school teachers’ education program.  This indicates that the people have started to be selective in assessing the demand. The people already know that there is a high demand for Elementary School and Kindergarten teachers,” said Farozan. Farozan explained, FIP UNY possess several programs; those for Elementary School teachers and Kindergarten teachers seems to attract many students. There are two programs for SD teachers, S1 and D2 programs. The number of students in the two programs is quite significant. Even though the government has recommended to recruit teachers holding S1 degree, many students are till attracted to the D2 programs.

Farozan said that the capacity of education faculty, especially Elementary School Teacher Education Program (PGSD) and Kindergarten Teacher Education Program (PGTK) was determined by each region depending on the demand. So far, UNY has been working with education agencies of Yogyakarta, and several agencies of Central Java, such as Klaten, Magelang, Banjarnegara, Purbalingga, Purworejo. ”Those regions still open registration for PGSD and PGTK. Therefore, the number of Education Faculty students in UNY will be determined by the regions,” said Farozan.

The Dean of Education and Teaching Faculty (FKIP) of Sarjanawiyata Taman Siswa University (UST) Drs Ki Tarto Sentono ST added, even though the number of new enrolling students (PSB) this year declines compared to last year, the people are still interested in FKIP. This year, the number of students enrolling to FKIP is lower than last year. However, this is not related to people’s reluctance to enroll to education faculty, but it is mainly due to the condition that forced some of them to enroll to universities,” said Tarto Sentono.

According to him, the declining enrollment is mainly related to the earthquake.Moreover, most of those enrolling to UST came from quake-affected areas, such as Klaten, Bantul, Gunungkidul, Purworejo, Kebumen, Cilacap and Ciamis. ”I really understand if the number of enrolling students is lower than last year. After their homes destroyed, earthquake victims might cancel their plan to send their children to universities, they might prioritize rebuilding their homes,” he added.

Each of the 7 departments in UST’s Education Faculty has enrolled 6-25 students. The most wanted is English, Mathematics and Fine Arts. To overcome the limited number of enrolling students this year, UST is working together with Taman Siswa Schools in several regions to open registration outside Yogyakarta, such as in  Kudus, Banjarnegara, Purworejo and several other region hopping to recruit more new students.