Should science be removed in primary education?

[bully3000]

Indonesia plans to end science in schools
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7bdfN9YRus

Indonesia considers dropping English and Science classes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdLjBHMCqvM

There has been a lot of criticism lately of the government’s proposal to radically change the elementary school curriculum and reduce it to six subjects: maths, Indonesian, religious studies, Pancasila, sports and art. However, critics have put forward some very weak arguments and have failed to see how the proposed curriculum would help Indonesia — much more effectively than at present — establish a first-class educational system.

One good a priori reason for thinking that the government is right and the critics are wrong is that the proposed curriculum looks very much like the curriculum taught in primary schools in England and universally admired in educational circles throughout the world.

This is a system with which I am familiar, having had four children go through primary education in Canterbury and having observed practice in schools as a parent governor. The reason why the English primary education is so admired is because it does precisely what the critics of the Indonesian system wish for elementary education: to develop children’s sense of wonder and curiosity and encourage critical thinking and creativity. And it does this through not burdening them with too many set subjects but using the time available to integrate teaching according to various topics.

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/commentary/indonesian-government-is-right-to-change-curriculum/551844

Should science be taken off the curriculum in primary education (in Indonesia)?

Please share us your thoughts!

[#1procrastinator]

No f'in way I say, I think science is too damn important (much more so than some of other subjects listed there)

[Stick]

I don't know... I enjoyed primary school because there was less structure and if I had a question on anything, I could ask the teacher and they would have the time to be able to teach us about it. I only wish high school would allow such flexibility. Now it's all about the prescribed course and trying to get it finished on time.

[pi]

I don't recall science in primary school... :/

#westernsuburbs

[Art Vandelay]

man all we did in primary school science was put some sultanas in lemonade or something. the teacher was teaching it more as 'magic' than science.

[TrueTears]

lol australian primary school - wagged almost everyday of it

[Butterscotch]

I think no.
Having graduated from primary school 3 years ago, I recall very vividly the science we did in the classroom. The scientific knowledge I gained in primary school (years 5 and 6) is the basement to my science knowledge today. I actually learned a lot from my teachers, which today helps me in a lot more than just science. It interconnected with other subjects too (e.g. Measuring, calculating etc).

It's too important to be removed! 

[Tomw2]

Developing "children’s sense of wonder and curiosity and encourage critical thinking and creativity" and an age-appropriate science curriculum are not mutually exclusive.

[b^3]

I don't recall science in primary school... :/

#westernsuburbs

This.....

[LazyZombie]

The reason why the English primary education is so admired is because it does precisely what the critics of the Indonesian system wish for elementary education: to develop children’s sense of wonder and curiosity and encourage critical thinking and creativity.

The british primary school system does this well? I didn't know that.
It's interesting to compare other nation's educational system to Australia's.

Idk, primary school for me was bludgy. But fun.

[Charmz]

The most we did was make mini light bulbs glow. I think there should be more science in PS. I had no idea what to expect when I got to yr 7 science because I'd never done anything.

[Stick]

I recall doing topics such as "float or sink" and astronomy, and we went to Scienceworks once. In my opinion, primary school needs to maintain its flexibility regardless of what happens.

[Professor Polonsky]

I did do science in primary school before coming to Australia. I can't say I remember much of it - I tend to remember finding primary schooling in Australia a joke, though.

Also, Pancasila? I'm actually interested to see how that's taught. Is it patriotic propaganda or a proper civics class?

[Mao]

Not having scientific education has simple consequences: you produce far fewer scientists and engineers, thus far fewer patents and far lower research outputs. This means you lose all technological expertise, and you are at the mercy of exporters or you will relapse back into the dark ages.

While this may not be so scary for consumer electronics, you try being in the defence force for that country when your country lacks scientific expertise.

I say, let them go for it, they can learn the hard way.

[thushan]

Maths class in grade 6 was once a month.

#northernsuburbsschool