English teaching at Regina Pacis

In May 1996, parents of the Regina Pacis Kindergarten and elementary school pupils were summoned by the Yayasan Adikara Niat, the school's management board. They were told that with the new school year starting in mid-1996, a compulsory English class, as an extracurricular activity, would be organized in cooperation with Lorna Whiston.

Parents could ask questions about this new project, but it was regrettable that the yayasan (foundation) had already made the decision. The parents were further startled by the information that each pupil would have to pay Rp 57,500 a month. Classes would be held twice a week, in 40-minute sessions. There was an impression of commercial overtones. Objections were raised and the price negotiated, but the unilateral decision remained firm.

Come August, the project was launched. It was different from the description given in May. Although the foundation had said there would be cooperation with the One Stop Study Center (OSSC) of Lorna Whiston on Jl. Kedoya Angsana D XIII No. 1, the project eventually involved the OSSC only. The foundation did not give an explanation.

On Aug. 6, Lorna Whiston placed an advertisement in the Suara Pembaharuan daily that it had no cooperation agreement with Yayasan Lorna Whiston on Jl. Kedoya Angsana D XIII No. 1 and Yayasan Pendidikan Whiston on Jl. Daksa II No. 1A. A reminder was given to these foundations to stop using Lorna Whiston's name. Lorna Whiston had never opened a branch in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, parents have observed that the subjects taught are not suitable for elementary school pupils. For example, grade IV, which should receive English tuition in accordance with local content requirement, is only instructed in coloring pictures, using scissors and glue.

Parents wonder:

1. What is the use of teaching English to grade III while the pupils are still learning their own language?

2. Is it justified to delete English from grades IV to VI according to the 1994 curriculum and to replace it with compulsory extracurricular classes?

3. What about the use of expatriate teachers, who do not speak one word of Indonesian, while there are enough Indonesian teachers for English?

4. Do the expatriate teachers have work permits, or are they simply tourists? In the short span of less than four months, the school has changed teachers three times.

5. Are sessions of 40 minutes effective for classes of 45 pupils handled by one expatriate teacher?

Parents of children who have not joined the extracurricular classes are worried that their children will not be allowed to participate in the examination organized by the Department of Education and Culture.

In consideration of the high cost and the disappointing results, we appeal to the Yayasan Adikara Niat to review its decision. The foundation can manage this activity itself, with teachers of reliable quality. It can employ qualified Indonesian teachers. The cost for the pupils can be lowered to Rp 7,500 per month.

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