REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The results of the National Examination (UN) can ascertain the quality of education offered in Islamic high schools (MA), Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin stated.

"The results will serve as a benchmark to help guide the evaluation of the learning process," Saifuddin noted while monitoring the implementation of the UN here on Monday.

The minister remarked that the UN would no longer determine graduation as the school administrators and the final school exam grades will be the deciding factors in the process.

"It also applies in other public schools," the minister stated.

Meanwhile, principal of MA 13 Jakarta Nuroto noted that his school had implemented the computer-based national exam (UNBK).

In Jakarta, out of the total of 133,961 high-school-level students, 63,883 from 203 high schools, 167 vocational schools (SMK), and 10 MA will take the UNBK this year, while the rest will attempt the paper-based test.

Nuroto has readied computer infrastructure and provided internet connectivity to facilitate the UNBK.

"The state-owned electricity company PLN will ensure the supply of electricity," he remarked.

Earlier, Minister Saifuddin stated that more than 410 thousand students of 759 Madrasah Aliyah across the country had attempted the national exam on Monday, and his visit to the schools in Lenteng Agung and Serpong was to ensure that the students gave the test in an orderly, safe, and honest manner.

Saifuddin explained that of the nation's 759 Madrasah Aliyah, only 75 were able to implement the UNBK this year.

Therefore, the religious minister expressed hope that all Madrasah Aliyah and Islamic Junior High School (Madrasah Tsanawiyah) would implement the UNBK in the years to come.

"The UNBK is encouraging, and therefore, we hope all Madrasah Aliyah and Madrasah Tsanawiyah would implement it in the coming years," the minister emphasized.

He affirmed that the UNBK was part of the implementation of the latest technology, and its presence cannot be circumvented.

Saifuddin pointed out that the test offered a level of transparency and a high degree of accuracy, and it was in line with the Religious Ministry's efforts to boost achievements and uphold the principles of honesty.

"The UNBK is important as through such a test, incorrect practices by certain groups of people can be minimized or even eliminated," he added.

Some 3,302,673 students from Senior High Schools, SMK, and MA in Indonesia attempted the UN on Monday, April 4, 2016.

Head of the Education Center of the Education and Culture Ministry Nizam remarked that as many as 4,402 schools, or 927 thousand students, will take the UNBK as compared to last year, which recorded 594 schools.

In addition, other schools will hold the paper-based exams.

Nizam remarked that the ministry had continued to encourage the implementation of UNBK across the country as part of the efforts to curb cheating.

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