'National Plus' schools require close monitoring<\/p>\n
Debbie A. Lubis, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The mushrooming of \"National Plus\" schools in big cities has
\ndemonstrated an increasing awareness of the importance of quality
\neducation.<\/p>\n
However, the government should also monitor such quality
\neducation, an expert said.<\/p>\n
Sutjipto, the Rector of Jakarta National University --
\nformerly Teacher's Training College (IKIP) -- said the emergence
\nof world-class schools can be regarded not merely as a sign of
\nimprovement in educational system but also as a sign of the
\ninability of the local scholastic system to keep up with an ever
\nchanging world.<\/p>\n
\"National-plus schools have curriculums that are no longer
\njust national in nature, but are based on international
\nstandards. That represents progress,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sutjipto, however, warned that not all schools that claim to
\nuse an international curriculum can provide the quality of
\neducation they promise.<\/p>\n
\"There should be clear standard for such international or
\nNational Plus schools,\" he added. Sutjipto is also sees the need
\nfor sanctions and penalties for those schools that fail to meet
\nrequired standards.<\/p>\n
Both international and National Plus schools use English as
\nthe language of instruction. Some international schools only
\naccept students of a particular nationality, while others are
\nopen to certain percentage of local students, allowing for a
\nmulticultural learning environment.<\/p>\n
Many international schools, like the Australian
\nInternational School (AIS), the Singapore International School
\n(SIS) and the New Zealand International School (NZIS), take their
\ncurriculum from their respective national curriculums.<\/p>\n
However, a majority of international schools including
\nthe Jakarta International School (JIS), the British International
\nSchool (BIS), and the Gandhi Memorial International School (GMIS)
\nand National Plus schools such as Sekolah Tiara Bangsa and
\nSekolah Pelita Harapan, adopt curriculum set by the Geneva-based
\nInternational Baccalaureate (IB) Organization.<\/p>\n
The British International School (BIS) follows the British
\nNational Curriculum for levels pre-school to GCSE (years 10 and
\n11). The IB program is offered for years 12 and 13.<\/p>\n
The IB programs are comprised of a Primary Years Program (PYP)
\nfor students aged 3 to 12 years; a Middle Years Program (MYP) for
\nthose aged 13 to 16; and an I.B. Diploma for students 17 to 18
\nyears old.<\/p>\n
Unlike international schools, National Plus schools should be
\naccredited by the Ministry of Education and fulfill its curricula
\nand policy requirements.<\/p>\n
Capri Anjaya, an executive of the Association
\nof National-Plus Schools, said that up to now, the government was
\nstill in the process of developing rules and characteristics for
\nNational Plus Schools.<\/p>\n
\"As far as I know, the procedures for establishing a National
\nPlus school are the same as those to establish a private national
\nschool in Indonesia. Some schools that are just starting up may
\nnot even tell the government that they are going to be the
\nNational Plus type,\" said Capri, who is also the coordinating
\nIndonesian principal of Sekolah Tiara Bangsa.<\/p>\n
She said that many private Indonesian schools call themselves
\nNational-Plus schools. Since there is no policy from the
\ngovernment as yet regarding National Plus schools, the
\nassociation tries to set clear requirements and develop criteria
\nfor accreditation.<\/p>\n
\"Of the 40 National-Plus schools registered with the
\nNational Plus Schools Association, not all of them
\nmeet the criteria,\" Capri added<\/p>\n
The Association of National Plus Schools (ANPS) has formulated
\na set of characteristics for National Plus schools. First of all,
\nthere should be clear policies and procedures in the teaching and
\nlearning process. A National Plus school, for example, should
\nrespect Indonesian cultural values, diversity and the natural
\nenvironment. Bahasa Indonesia, Religion and Civics must,
\ntherefore, be taught.<\/p>\n
Students should be able to communicate in Indonesian and
\nEnglish (especially in core subjects like English, Mathematics
\nand Science). The school must have a commitment to professional
\ndevelopment and must develop and use national and international
\nlearning outcomes.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, educational programs, teaching methodologies and a
\nrange of assessment practices should support student-centered
\nlearning. Lastly, there should be a range of resources and
\nfacilities.<\/p>\n
Each of the characteristics is elaborated with some mandatory
\nand developing indicators that determine categories of school
\naccreditation set by ANPS.<\/p>\n
According to Capri, the National Plus school can be classified
\ninto A, B, C and P categories.<\/p>\n
Category A is awarded to National Plus schools that meet all
\nthe mandatory and developing indicators while category B is for
\nschools meeting all of the mandatory and 50 percent of developing
\nindicators.<\/p>\n
Schools that meet all mandatory indicators but less than 50
\npercent of developing indicators belong to Category C, while
\nschools that provide documentary evidence that they are working
\ntowards meeting all of the mandatory indicators belong to
\nCategory P (\"Provisional\" accreditation).<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Sutjipto said that the high tuition fees charged by
\ninternational or National Plus schools are proportionate to the
\nquality of services and facilities they provide.<\/p>\n
Most National Plus schools are well equipped with libraries,
\nlaboratories, internet, music rooms, drama rooms as well as art
\nand sport facilities.<\/p>\n
\"And most importantly, teachers are properly paid and well-
\ndeveloped so that they can concentrate on educating children.
\nHere in Indonesia, we may make changes in curriculum but it
\ncannot be implemented if other supporting factors are not
\nrunning well, especially teachers' welfare.\"<\/p>\n
\"At Sekolah Pelita Harapan, students are challenged and
\nequipped to use their abilities to assist the development of this
\ncountry,\" said Brian Cox, an academic counselor at Sekolah Pelita
\nHarapan.<\/p>\n
He said that students of a National Plus school are taught by
\nteachers from around the world and from Indonesia. \"They also
\nreceive an international education as well as a good
\nunderstanding and appreciation of Indonesian culture.\"<\/p>\n
Sekolah Pelita Harapan is an Early Childhood through
\ngrade 12 National Plus School founded in 1992. Its curriculum is
\nbased on the IB programs that prepare students for post-secondary
\neducation within Indonesia and overseas.<\/p>\n
Sutjipto expressed the hope that world-class schools would
\ncooperate with local schools so that their students would be
\nstimulated to gain wider horizon and have higher motivation.<\/p>\n
\"Reading is not part of the culture in many small schools,
\nespecially those in rural areas. I hope those schools can help
\nteachers encourage the students to develop such a culture.\"<\/p>\n
Sekolah Tiara Bangsa is a National Plus and IB school that has
\ngiven assistance to local schools through its community service
\nprograms. The school director, Daryl Forde, said that the school
\noften invited teachers from local schools to attend its
\neducational seminars, and also invited local students to see
\nTiara Bangsa art performances.<\/p>\n
The Parents' Association has also established bilingual
\npictorial books to be distributed to local schools.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/national-plus-schools-require-close-monitoring-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}