Expat teachers sharing culture
Expat teachers sharing culture
As a new expatriate teacher to Indonesia, I read with interest
the recent article in the Oct. 15 edition of The Jakarta Post
titled Assessing private schools. I thought the author made some
very valid points.
On my entry to Indonesia I was quite surprised at the large
number of international schools that exist, even in the area of
Jakarta and Bogor. The primary and middle years program that the
international schools have as their curriculum not only highly
values the first language of students, but nourishes a deeper
understanding of the language and culture of the country that
students are presently experiencing.
Here in Bogor we take pride in the strong Indonesian
enrichment and language program that our curriculum encompasses,
and support our families in celebrating this wonderful culture
that we expatriate teachers have the opportunity to share.
Our teacher aides are treated as paraprofessionals and receive
frequent training in areas linked to the many demands of school
life. These include not only those of educational value, but the
necessary workplace health and safety issues that schools
constantly face. The Indonesian staff here work alongside the
expatriate teachers, being continually coached and mentored in
highly skilled teaching strategies relevant for today's
educational systems.
Two of our Indonesian teachers here are presently being
supported by the school board and staff to continue their
training and develop their skills in education. I'm sure this
would not be unique to our school.
The International School of Bogor would be one of the smallest
private schools in Indonesia. Here we value our Indonesian staff
and work hard to create strong community relationships during our
contracted time here. Most expatriate teachers are here to
contribute to the country of employment and develop a deeper
knowledge and understanding of the culture.
Many teachers work hard at learning the language and
contribute significantly to the community in which they live.
Students from these schools are well prepared to match their
counterparts from any western schools as they progress to further
international training beyond high school.
There is also an additional bonus to be gained by having
expatriate teachers living and working in Indonesia. They portray
a more positive and different picture of life in Indonesia than
that which is shown by the media in their home countries. They
also encourage additional tourism as people come to visit and
take back their experiences of a country striving to take its
place in the global world of today. Our school families make us
feel valued members of this community, and we in turn hope to
contribute more than we gain by being here.
CHRIS RAWLINS
Principal
The International School of Bogor
West Java