THE NON-SYNCHRONICITY BETWEEN THE AVAILABILITY OF LANGUAGE PROGRAM IN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES IN SURABAYA

Abstract

In around 80’s, English language program was still available in many senior high schools so that students had three optional programs: IPA (natural science program), IPS (social science program), and language program. The implementation of program classification in senior high schools is actually purposed to develop the abilities of students specifically. In fact, the adverse effect appears when discriminative labeling is pointed toward senior high school students from language program. This qualitative study was conducted by using descriptive method to depict the phenomena happening in educational settings in Indonesia. It described what has happened to language program in senior high schools by providing accurate data to support the disappearance of the program, especially in Surabaya. The qualitative data used in this study were collected by conducting library research and browsing the internet. Comparison and analysis of the data were done descriptively to explore the problems and discuss the results thoroughly. SMAN 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 which are located in Surabaya only provides MIA program which refers to mathematics and natural sciences and IIS program which refers to social sciences for their students. Only SMAN 3 Surabaya has language program. Those phenomena were resulted from the negative labels attached to language program in senior high schools and the government policies. Sharing information through seminars and other similar events was the best solution. In conclusion, the unavailability of language program in senior high schools and the more English education program in universities in Surabaya which is still not synchronous must be taken seriously as a vital problem which needs immediate solutions. Hence, a solid collaboration between the government and the society should be more developed to create positive images through the correct information and accurate data to counter the negative perception on language program.