West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi’s statement banning study tours by schools has received varied reactions from parents and tourism industry players. The statement that considers study tours the same as picnic activities is not entirely accurate. Study tours should be strictly regulated and follow national standards.
Study tours that should support classroom learning and provide real experiences to students are considered burdensome for parents because they require additional expenses. Then, study tours are often seen as attempts by a handful of educators to gain personal financial benefits.
Schools may be less organized in planning their trips so that the study tour material is not aligned with the existing curriculum. Schools also choose vendors or service providers with low prices to reduce expenses.
So, will banning study tours solve the problem?
For the future of children, we all must understand that learning outside the classroom is very important to enrich their learning experience. This method creates an interactive, fun, and applicable learning atmosphere, making the material easier for students to understand. And no less important is that they can develop various skills.
Learning outside the classroom is more than just entertainment. Through direct experience, students can develop deep knowledge, better social skills, and creative and independent attitudes. Therefore, learning outside the classroom should be an important part of the education system in schools.
Learning outside the classroom can also help with character education. Governor Dedi Mulyadi, in this case, reaffirms the importance of education with Sundanese character (local wisdom) for students. Because the crisis of local identity among the younger generation is increasingly worrying.
Study tour activities can very well be conducted within the province. Because West Java has various objects and activities for learning activities outside the classroom. The quality is also not inferior compared to other provinces. Regional leaders should encourage schools to introduce students to their surrounding environment before making visits to other regions.
From a tourism perspective, ASITA as an Association of Travel Companies, is obliged to convey the complaints and concerns felt by its members. The implementation of the West Java Governor’s Regulation regarding the ban on study tours is considered to threaten the future of the travel business.
The statement that study tour activities are no longer allowed is also a ‘hard slap’ to travel business actors. That means, travel services must be more responsible and maintain the quality of services that have been promised according to the costs incurred by consumers.
“It is our obligation as parents to introduce our cultural roots. Schools and study tour organizers can introduce cultural roots through tourism,” said Daniel Guna Nugraha, Chairman of DPD ASITA West Java.
He gave examples, many activities can be done by students in Kampung Naga, Tasikmalaya. There they can learn to weave bamboo, go to the rice fields to participate in planting and harvesting in a civilized and cultured way, and cook and eat with the host family.
To introduce Indonesia’s intangible cultural heritage such as batik, which has been recognized by UNESCO, schools can arrange trips to West Java’s batik centers such as Kampung Trusmi in Cirebon. There students can practice batik making under the guidance of batik makers, get to know batik motifs and learn about their meaning and philosophy from batik entrepreneur families and others.
“Tourism activities like the above are rarely done by schools in West Java. In fact, the emphasis on knowing the potential and self-image in our region is very important with the progress and development of the times like now,” said Daniel.
From his experience handling field trips from Singapore, there schools choose activity vendors through auctions. Tour operators who participate in the auction are required to fill out assessments. The assessment material has been regulated and established by the Singapore Ministry of Education. Vendors who carry out activities not in accordance with the standards will be sanctioned. According to Daniel, such a system is very possible to be implemented in West Java.
Assessment materials include: selection of study tour themes that must correlate with school subjects; lodging/hotels must meet the minimum accommodation requirements, namely CHSE/PHRI certified and verification from the local Health Office by showing proof of eligibility certificate; restaurants and food menus to be served according to the healthy nutritional needs of students/participants and proven by feasibility tests from the Health Office and PHRI; tourism vehicles used must be roadworthy, have permits from the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation in the form of Operational Permits and Supervision Cards, KIR from DISHUB, and valid vehicle registration; student groups must be accompanied by tour guides or interpreters who are experienced and certified by BNSP and affiliated with the official Tour Guide Association in Indonesia; travel agents/tour operators must have business licenses, be licensed, and affiliated with official Travel Associations in Indonesia by showing NIA, NIB and NPWP; travel agent/tour operator companies must also have experienced and BNSP-certified Travel Consultants/Tour Managers; travel insurance guarantees; and must include the address and service number of the Police along the travel route.
“The principle of the assessment is to protect students. And tour operators are obliged to provide excellent service in accordance with what has been determined by the school and government regulations in that country,” he added.
The effect of the study tour ban has raised concerns, not only among tourism industry players in West Java but also spreading to other provinces in Central Java, Yogyakarta and Bali. Because the impact of the tourism industry on a region’s economy includes community income, job creation, social welfare and economic growth.
The government needs to immediately establish standards for organizing study tours. Collaboration between the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Transportation, as well as associations of school committees and tourism industry players is very important to find solutions and establish clear standards. (Yun Damayanti)