Competition between schools healthy<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The establishment of the so-called superschools
\nin various cities is injecting a welcome competitive spirit into
\nthe education world in Indonesia, according to a senior official
\nof the Ministry of Education and Culture.<\/p>\n
These superschools are forcing government schools to improve
\ntheir quality, Sri Hardjoko Wirjomartono, the chief of the
\nministry's Research and Development Agency, said yesterday.<\/p>\n
A number of superschools have been established in Indonesia in
\nrecent years, all aiming to provide the best available education,
\nsome combining strict military or religious disciplines with
\ntraditional methods. Most of these schools charge high tuition
\nfees that only the wealthy can afford, but refuse to be called
\nelite schools.<\/p>\n
Some people have expressed apprehension that these schools
\nwill further widen the gap between the wealthy and the poor.<\/p>\n
But the government has defended the policy of allowing the
\nestablishment of such schools.<\/p>\n
Sri Hardjoko said all schools, including the government-owned
\nones, must attempt to provide better education standards. \"If
\nthey don't, they will be left behind,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He emphasized the need for strengthening the curriculum and
\nthe quality of teaching staff to strengthen government schools.<\/p>\n
In big cities like Jakarta, a number of government-run schools
\nare already offering such good facilities that competition for
\nplaces is stiff.<\/p>\n
\"These government schools are also running extra-curricular
\nactivities,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Their facilities such as libraries, laboratories, computers
\nand sports match those provided by the superschools, he said. He
\nconceded that the quality of government schools in smaller cities
\nmust still be improved.<\/p>\n
The leading superschools in Jakarta include Pelita Harapan in
\nthe Lippo Karawaci project in Tangerang, Al Azhar Boarding School
\nin the Lippo City Complex in Bekasi, St. Laurensia in the Alam
\nSutera housing complex in Serpong, Tangerang, and Jaya Global
\nSchool in Bintaro Jaya, Tangerang. (31)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/competition-between-schools-healthy-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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