New international school embraces all nationals<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
As a new school that just opened its doors in July, the Bunda
\nMulia Australian International School on Jl. Lodan, Ancol, North
\nJakarta, has drawn a remarkable number of Indonesian students to
\naccess the international education it provides.<\/p>\n
Established by the Australian International School and the Bunda
\nMulia Foundation, the school enriches its Australian curriculum
\n-- from the Australian Capital Territory, Canberra -- with local
\ncontent, such as Indonesian and Chinese cultures and languages.<\/p>\n
\"Currently we have 218 students, including some from Korea,
\nIndia, Taiwan and China,\" said David Simojoki, the head of the
\nschool management, adding that more than 90 percent of the
\nstudents were Indonesians.<\/p>\n
The school offers five levels of education: nursery, pre-
\nkindergarten, kindergarten, elementary and junior high. Next year
\nthe school will open a high school.<\/p>\n
According to Bunda Mulia Foundation chairwoman Rita Djoko
\nSusanto, the school has adopted an Australian curriculum in a bid
\nto accommodate students who plan to earn their degrees at
\nAustralian universities in the years to come.<\/p>\n
\"Based on a survey early this year, Australia is a preferred
\ndestination for Indonesian students in continuing their studies.
\nThe survey showed that around 18,000 active students are studying
\nin Australia,\" Rita told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
The school's teachers, mostly Australians, provide both
\nAustralian and Indonesian elements in their lessons, said the
\nschool's director of operations, Kurnia Sukrisna.<\/p>\n
The school also provides special needs support in class. For
\nexample, it has a special needs center to serve autistic children
\nand those with behavioral difficulties. Meanwhile, for gifted
\nstudents, an enrichment program is available to develop their
\nspecial interests.<\/p>\n
Simojoki said that the school welcomed students from all
\nreligions and all cultures.<\/p>\n
\"In the Australian education system, we don't teach a
\nparticular religion. Although we teach about religions in general
\nas part of the social environment program, we don't emphasize any
\nparticular religion.\"<\/p>\n
Simojoki said that international students would not face any
\nproblems in transferring to schools in their home countries as
\nthe Bunda Mulia's report cards were accepted everywhere, while
\nstudents transferring to the school were required to take a test.<\/p>\n
International students would also be introduced to Indonesian
\nculture. The school, for example, would bring its junior high
\nstudents to visit Yogyakarta, Central Java, in the near future.<\/p>\n
\"We will celebrate Indonesian Independence Day by wearing
\ntraditional clothing and continue the celebration on Friday by
\norganizing Indonesian games and competitions,\" said Simojoki.<\/p>\n
The school also has spacious classrooms, with each
\naccommodating a maximum of 25 students, outdoor and indoor
\nsports facilities, a library, computer and science laboratories,
\nand multipurpose and performing arts auditoriums.<\/p>\n
The tuition fees range from Rp 900,000 per month to Rp 4
\nmillion, on top of a fixed Rp 10 million entrance fee, depending
\non the level, Kurnia said.<\/p>\n
Besides the Bunda Mulia school, the Australian International
\nSchool has two other campuses in Kemang, South Jakarta, and one
\nin Bali.(004)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-international-school-embraces-all-nationals-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}