Chairman Of Commission X Of The House Of Representatives Proposes That Portuguese Teaching At Schools Be Tested First

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JAKARTA - The chairman of Commission X of the DPR, Hetifah Sjaifudian, welcomed President Prabowo Subianto's wish that the Portuguese language be taught in schools. However, it is better if this policy is tested first before it is implemented.

According to Hetifah, this plan is part of strengthening the competence of students' foreign languages. However, he emphasized the importance of in-depth studies and careful planning before this policy was implemented widely.

"Education of Portuguese is certainly a positive step, as long as it has a clear basis, both from strategic benefits, diplomatic relations, and its relevance to the needs of students' future," said Hetifah, Monday, October 27.

Hetifah assessed that the Ministry of Elementary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) needs to examine the potential for cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries such as Brazil, Portugal, and Timor Leste, as well as pay attention to its impact on the already dense curriculum.

Therefore, he suggested that Portuguese teaching be piloted first in areas that have historical and social-culture closeness to the Portuguese language world.

This program can be started in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) which is directly adjacent to Timor Leste. This contextual approach will make learning more relevant and beneficial to the local community," explained the Golkar legislator.

Hetifah said that Commission X of the DPR supports education policies that strengthen the global competitiveness of Indonesian students, as long as the implementation is planned and maintains Indonesian and regional language as the identity of the nation.

"In principle, we support every step that improves students' global competence, while maintaining the identity of the nation," said Hetifah.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto decided that Portuguese would be taught in schools in Indonesia when he met Brazilian President Luiz Inbowo Lula da Silva at the State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday, October 23.

During the bilateral meeting, the two discussed a lot, including Portuguese. Prabowo initially emphasized that Brazil is an important partner of Indonesia.

The President also emphasized that Brazil is an important partner. Therefore, Prabowo decided that the Portuguese language would begin to be taught in Indonesian schools.

"I am sure that in the future we will produce better achievements," said Prabowo.

"As proof that we view Brazil as very important, I have decided that Portuguese will be one of the priorities of Indonesian education discipline," he continued.