The Importance of Empowering Creative Thinking in Indonesia's Educational System

For the first time, the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) has measured the creative thinking skills of 15-year-olds worldwide. The results are published in PISA 2022 Result Volume III – Creative Minds, Creative Schools, released on June 18th, 2024. In this volume, based on PISA 2022 data, the OECD provides insights into how well education systems prepare students to think creatively across different task contexts. The assessment evaluated students' ability to engage in creative thinking in 64 countries and economies, defined as their capacity to produce original and diverse ideas.

The OECD utilizes indices such as imagination, adventurousness, openness to intellect, curiosity, perspective-taking, and persistence to assess creative thinking performance. This pioneering assessment also highlights a significant correlation between creative thinking and intelligence in traditional school subjects such as mathematics, reading, and science. The PISA Report Volume III (2024) clearly states that most countries and economies scoring above the OECD average in creative thinking also outperformed the OECD average in mathematics, reading, and science.

Unsurprisingly, countries such as Singapore, Korea, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Estonia, and Finland lead the score results, with mean scores of 36 or above, significantly surpassing the OECD average of 33 points. Singapore, the highest-scoring country in creative thinking, achieved an impressive 41 points, underscoring its strong commitment to integrating creativity into its education system.

Indonesia, unfortunately, remains far below the OECD average with scores only 19 points. Indonesia was among the 10 lowest performing countries in creative thinking. This poor performance result underscores the urgent need for educational reform and innovation within the country.

To enhance creative thinking skills among Indonesian students, several strategies can be implemented, including curriculum reform, teacher training, extracurricular activities, and parental involvement in education.

First, curriculum reform is essential. It needs to be highlighted that classroom pedagogies and the school environment are crucial in fostering creative thinking. Integrating creative thinking into the national curriculum can be achieved by incorporating more project-based learning, problem-solving activities, and interdisciplinary projects that encourage students to think creatively, rather than relying solely on rote memorization. Many schools in Indonesia prioritize final scores over the learning process, leading students to use shortcuts to answer test questions and solve problems through memorization without true understanding. It is important to note that understanding concepts is crucial for enhancing their mindset and fostering creative thinking. Conceptual understanding should be prioritized in primary education so that students develop a strong foundation as they progress to more advanced topics.

Secondly, teacher training is crucial. It is important to provide professional development for teachers in Indonesia to equip them with the skills to nurture creativity in the classroom. This includes training in innovative teaching methods so that they can foster a supportive environment for creative expression. The OECD reported that when teachers value creativity, encourage original answers, and provide opportunities for students to express ideas in school, it correlates with higher scores in creative thinking.

Thirdly, expanding access to extracurricular activities that promote creativity is essential in every school. Schools should offer a diverse range of extracurricular options that provide students with opportunities to develop and enhance their creative thinking skills. These activities can includes various forms of arts, including drama and painting, which encourage imagination and self-expression. Practical skills such as sewing and crafting not only stimulate creativity, but also teach problem-solving and perseverance. Additionally, logical pursuits like chess and coding clubs help students develop analytical thinking and innovative problem-solving abilities. All of these activities play crucial roles in nurturing and expanding students' capacity for creative thinking.

Lastly, encouraging parental involvement in education can significantly contribute to fostering a supportive environment for creativity outside the classroom. Parents play a crucial role in developing their children's creative thinking by actively engaging in learning activities at home. Parents should encourage exploration and experimentation, provide opportunities for creative expression, and engage in discussions that stimulate imaginative thinking. It's important for parents to reinforce the value of creative thinking without enforcing strict expectations that could suppress their children's natural creativity.

In conclusion, the latest PISA creative thinking assessment highlights the significance of cultivating creative thinking skills in students to equip them for the challenges of the modern world. Despite Indonesia's current position below the OECD average, focused initiatives in curriculum reform, teacher training, extracurricular activities, and parental involvement can help to narrow this gap. By fostering an educational environment that values and encourages creativity, Indonesia can effectively prepare its students for a rapidly changing and competitive world.

Kallista Nadia Adrianne

Education Enthusiast & Founder of French For You Indonesia