Bina Tunas Bangsa School:
Bina Tunas Bangsa School:
Giving students an access to world's top universities
With the growing awareness among Indonesian parents of the
need to provide quality education for their children, it is not
surprising that schools offering the International Baccalaureate
(IB) are becoming increasingly popular.
The IB not only assists schools in the endeavor to develop
young individuals to be responsible, caring and critical
international citizens that respect other cultures, but, most
importantly, offers students easy access to the world's leading
universities.
Many national "plus" schools have wanted to teach
international standard curricula, but only a few have met the
tight requirements of the prestigious IB Diploma program.
One of the few is the Bina Tunas Bangsa School (BTB School),
even though this school is relatively new compared to the other
national "plus" schools in Indonesia.
The BTB School, which started operating as a kindergarten in
Bintaro, Jakarta, in early 2003, has now evolved into a multi-
faceted educational institute with its new campus on Jl. Pluit
Sakti, North Jakarta.
The school obtained authorization from the Geneva-based
International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to offer diploma
program shortly after it introduced the curriculum six months
ago.
"It was a miracle that we were able to do it within such a
short period of time. Our success in securing the authorization
to offer the prestigious IB program was possible due to our
qualified teaching staff and the full support of the parents,"
BTB School's Diploma Coordinator Dr Ron Verburgt says.
At present, BTB School provides an international standard
educational environment for students of all ages. The school, for
example, applies the IB's three main educational programs --
Primary Years Program (PYP), Middle Years Program (MYP) and the
Diploma Program (DP).
The PYP, for students aged three to 12, offers an educational
framework that meets children's academic, social, emotional and
cultural needs. It serves as an excellent introduction to the
Middle Years Program (MYP), which provides a framework of
academic challenge and life skills for students aged between 11
and 16.
"Through the MYP program, students will develop a personal
values system by which to guide their own lives as thoughtful
members of local communities and the larger world," says
Verburgt.
After completing the PYP and MYP, students aged 17 to 18 have
the opportunity to take the DP program, a demanding two-year pre-
university course of study that helps students fulfill the
requirements of international education systems.
The two-year IB Diploma Program will not only encourage
students to enhance their sense of professionalism, discipline
and good work habits, but also open their eyes to the reality of
life.
In addition to the Extended Essay research course, students
are also required to take Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) program which reflect the
educational philosophy of IB
Under TOK, students are required to write essays and make
class presentations. "The program is designed to stimulate
critical reflection on the students' knowledge and experience
both inside and outside the classroom," he said.
IB diploma candidates are also obliged to carry out service
projects, with opportunities for service being provided in the
school community, local community or on behalf of the environment
or in the international community. "Each student is expected to
be involved in at least 50 hours per activity over the two
years," he said.
"That's why BTB School students who hold an IB diploma are
accepted by over 800 universities in 85 different countries
around the globe," Verburgt added.
At BTB School, students not only enjoy the advantages of the
internationally accepted IB programs but also the latest
educational technology, both as regards teaching and learning.
The BTB School is backed up by some 50 experienced, highly
dedicated and exceptionally qualified teachers to ensure that the
school's international standard education is maintained.
Most of the outstanding teachers have attended IB training
courses overseas to meet requirements for teaching set by the
IBO.
"The training course on IB for teachers is given periodically
to keep the teachers updated with teaching-related affairs," he
said.
"With IB trained teachers, the BTB School can adopt the IB
curriculum properly," he said, adding that most of the teachers
have between five and 12 years teaching experience.
Currently, the BTB School has two campuses -- Bintaro and
Pluit. The Bintaro Campus has been built on some 5,000 square
meters of land. The new Pluit Campus with a four-storey school
building occupies some 3,000 square meters of land. It has 30
fully air conditioned, colorful and bright class rooms, of which
17 are for primary students.
With BTB School having the IB World School label, the school
has standard facilities required by the IB Organization (IBO).
They include a fully resourced library, two computer labs, a
biology lab, a physics lab, a drama studio, a music studio, an
indoor sports hall, an assembly hall and a swimming pool.
"The facilities are designed to support a creative teaching
and an effective learning environment," said the BTB School's
business manager Andri Prima Cahyadi.
The computer laboratory is complete with high-speed Internet
connections to facilitate the teaching and learning process.
"Another computer lab will be made available next year as part of
our continuous efforts to upgrade our facilities," he said.
A spacious sports hall, located at the top of the building,
provides a badminton, volleyball and basketball court.
The school's chemistry lab has been designed in such a way
that any signs of danger resulting from an experiment made by
student can be detected early.
Its assembly hall which has a capacity of 500 persons is also
available. The multi-function hall is mostly used to conduct
activities involving many people, such as a gatherings between
students' parents and teachers and also for art performances.
With the curricula, exceptionally qualified teachers and
modern facilities it offers, no wonder the BTB School has become
the preferred choice of parents wanting to provide not only an
excellent education but also easy access to the world's top
universities to their children.
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