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. 1