Advertorial: Global Jaya

Advertorial: Global Jaya

Focus Issue: Sunday - August 24, 2003

Sekolah Global Jaya teaches students to be Critical Thinkers

"Indonesia is yet to be prosperous... but I love it." is part of a poem that was written to commemorate the 58th Indonesian Independence Day. The writer is not a professional poet, nor one who is experiencing the pinch of the prolonged economic crisis, but an elementary student of the well respected Sekolah Global Jaya (Global Jaya School).

Such an insightful comment from an elementary student did not surprise the executive principal, Kenneth J Cock.

"We expect our students to be global citizens and as such they are taught to question to understand and to think about things in a critical manner," said Pak Ken. "This is central to the teaching and learning in our school."

Adapting a Western approach to learning the school emphasizes an active and creative learning culture. Students are encouraged to question things around them and so not be afraid to speak their minds. The student centere approach to learning is supported through expert teaching practice coupled with small class sizes. The maximum number of students in each class is 24.

Global Jaya School (www.globaljaya.com) was established by Yayasan Pendidikan Jaya in 1995. The school is located on a spacious six-hectare plot of land in Bintaro, Pondok Aren, Tangerang. Students come from families across many areas of Jakarta and Tangerang. About 660 students from kindergarten to year 12 are currently studying at the school.

There is a teaching staff of 100, including 25 expatriates from Australia, USA and UK. The lessons are conducted in English and Bahasa Indonesia, with specially developed programmes to continually improve students use and understanding of the English language.

"Several of our students are from Indonesian families who have just returned from work commitments abroad. Parents of these students often choose Global Jaya because they want their children to continue to study using the western teaching methods while learning more about their Indonesian language and culture," said Pak Ken.

The school has been awarded both National Accreditation from the government and International Accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. This is a benchmark through which the school can compare itself to schools and colleges in the United States. The school is presently implementing the International Baccalaureate Organisation Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes. These curriculum programmes are offered in many schools around the world. As well for senior students the Victorian Certificate of Education is offered.

Students who successfully complete this certificate course from Victoria, Australia can gain direct entry to most prestigious universities around the world.

"Even though the students are taught in English and a western approach to learning is used we want our students to value the diversity of Indonesia and to respect the traditional arts and culture", Pak Ken said. Community service -- including visits to local schools, -- is regularly conducted, helping students to be aware of their immediate environment and sensitive to the welfare of others.

The school -- which recently organized a study tour of the traditional for the year 9 students to Kampung Naga hamlet in West Java -- offers a great variety of extra curricular activities such as swimming, art, music, problem solving, and even ballet. But the world experienced by today's youth is not always carefree. And the school takes the precaution of offering a self development program, which covers drug prevention, pubertal change and relationship education, for the junior high students, with random drug testing to maintain Global Jaya as a drug free school. Sex education is provided for students, starting from the sixth grade of elementary school.

"The success of our past students studying in universities and colleges across the world and the recognition by many people in the education community that we are one of the best schools in Indonesia are testimony of our quality," Pak Ken proudly said.

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