Tuition not the deciding issue for many expats<\/p>\n
Joseph Kirschke, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Altogether, expatriates with children in Jakarta have 17
\ninternational schools to choose from. They range from British and
\nAmerican schools to French, Pakistani and even Saudi Arabian
\nsecondary schools.<\/p>\n
Parents, when asked, seem to agree that quality is a major
\nconcern, and that their children are exposed to a unique learning
\nexperience in Jakarta where the rules governing how education is
\nadministered is completely different from their home country --
\nalmost universally in a positive way.<\/p>\n
For many expatriates, especially those working for
\nmultinational companies, cost is not much of an issue, as they
\noften receive generous education packages from their employers.
\nBut for some, in particular those who are self-employed, cost can
\nbe an issue.<\/p>\n
Barbara Spiers, a co-owner of Indo Multi-Media Publishing Co.,
\nwhich publishes Java Kini Jakarta Kini and Garuda magazines among
\nothers, cites cost as the principal disadvantage of sending her
\nsons, Edward and George, both in year 8, to the British
\nInternational School.<\/p>\n
\"Nonetheless, we are very, very happy with the education and
\nthe experience that our sons are receiving. The methods (of
\nteaching) they use are really very good,\" Spiers said.<\/p>\n
Marilyn August, an expat mother who lived 23 years in Paris
\nbefore moving to Jakarta more than three years ago, offers
\nsimilar praise for the French International School (Lycee
\nInternational Francais), while complimenting the very nature of
\nthe educational component of expat life.<\/p>\n
\"In an expat environment you get to know the teachers much
\nbetter,\" she said, referring to the education of her daughter
\nAlexandra, a senior, and her son, Sam who is in year 10. \"We find
\nwe have a lot more input and much more output.\"<\/p>\n
August cites the fact that teachers are much more motivated by
\ntheir foreign environment, allowing a unique window for parents
\nto become far more closely involved in things like extra-
\ncurricular activities than they ever could in their home
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, she noted, her husband, Bernard, had a
\nsmall speaking role in the French jazz show Al'ame while
\nAlexandra and Sam sang and danced the can-can.<\/p>\n
\"It was the most amazing experience,\" she said. \"This would
\nnever happen in a French school (in France).\"<\/p>\n
Since it is affiliated with the French public school system,
\nAugust said the cost of 6,000 Euros (US$7,200) per annum is not
\nsuch a heavy burden as it is subsidized by the French government.<\/p>\n
The one disadvantage as August sees it, however, is that
\nsometimes the school can be too small. Although, she noted, this
\nis an undeniable benefit in terms of the attention the students
\nget in terms of class size, it can be a handicap socially.<\/p>\n
\"It can be a fishbowl environment,\" she said.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, said August, the overall level of teacher
\ndedication is so extraordinary that what the students are
\nlearning and how they are learning their subjects more than
\ncompensates for any such drawbacks.<\/p>\n
\"(Teacher) absenteeism is very low because it's a very
\ndifferent level of devotion -- we really appreciate that,\" he
\nsaid. \"Overall it's been a very positive experience.\"<\/p>\n
Likewise, Ross Tinney, has been more than happy with the
\nexperience that his two children, James, 10, -- in year 5 -- and
\nHarrison, 7, -- in year 3 -- have had at the British
\nInternational School.<\/p>\n
\"The quality is sensational,\" said the New Zealander who has
\nbeen working here as a film director for two years. \"I think
\nthere's a real sense of enjoyment.\"<\/p>\n
The extracurricular activities, he added, are excellent.<\/p>\n
\"Harrison participated in a sleepover -- they had games and
\ntents,\" he said. \"It's really good; they like to keep parents
\nproactive.\"<\/p>\n
From his home in Kemang to the school, which is located in
\nBintaro the distance can take as long as 30 to 40 minutes from
\ndoor to door. However, Tinney noted, in traffic-clogged Jakarta,
\ndistances are very relative, and the school bus offers great
\nconvenience and security.<\/p>\n
Security, since the devastating Bali bombings of October 12,
\n2002, has been heightened at just about every international
\nschool in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
After credible threats of violence against international
\nschools were received by foreign embassies in Jakarta, most
\nschools acted promptly by closing for several weeks while
\nmeasures -- from adding bomb-proof walls to recruiting extra
\nsecurity guards and police -- were put in place.<\/p>\n
Spiers, for one, is more than satisfied with the extra
\nsecurity. \"I have no concerns,\" she said. \"There are police out
\nin front with guns and rifles.\"<\/p>\n
\"Of course,\" she added, \"it's better to be safe than sorry.\"<\/p>\n
Threats of terrorism aside, for more than a few expats the
\ninternational education experience is a positive one.<\/p>\n
Said Tinney: \"It's been well worthwhile ... with things like
\nmath, science and geography; the kids come home with some
\ninteresting projects,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"That,\" he added, \"goes a long way in helping them build
\nconfidence and self-esteem.\"<\/p>\n
Often there are other unique experiences that international
\nschools students are exposed to. In mid-2003 when German
\nChancellor Gerhard Shroeder came to Indonesia on a state visit,
\nhe blocked out one afternoon to visit -- along with President
\nMegawati -- the students, faculty and parents of the German
\nSchool (Deutsche Internationale Schule) in Bumi Serpong Damai.<\/p>\n
After a tour of the lavish facilities and an open question
\ntime by students to the two world leaders (marked by a very
\ninsightful and pointed question to Schroeder about international
\ndiplomacy), Megawati was said to be so impressed that she called
\na meeting with her Cabinet to specifically discuss educational
\nimprovement here.<\/p>",
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