Government to standardize 'national plus' schools

Government to standardize 'national plus' schools

Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

As more and more national schools implement their autonomy by
developing their own curricula and offering classes in the
English medium, the government is mulling the standardization of
their curriculum and faculty makeup.

Muhammad Hatta, the head of curriculum and accreditation at
the directorate general of primary and secondary education, the
Ministry of National Education, said on Thursday three subjects
-- civics, religion and Bahasa Indonesia -- would be made
mandatory for national-plus curricula.

"These subjects are vital for developing Indonesian
character," said Muhammad at the ground-breaking ceremony of
Central, a national-plus school in South Kembangan, West Jakarta.
"We expect the regulation to be finished this year."

The country has seen a growing number of national-plus schools
over the past decade. Typically, these schools combine elements
of curricula from Australia, the United States, Singapore or
Europe, and the majority of subjects are taught in English.

Central, which was established in July 2003, for example, uses
the British curriculum. "We're interested in the methodology (of
teaching). We have adopted Indonesian content in the subjects,"
said principal Susan Natih.

Civics was part of its integration studies course, said Susan,
adding that the basic beliefs and values of all religions were
introduced to all students, regardless of their faiths.

"In Indonesian studies, students learn not only the language,
but also Indonesian literature and culture," she said.

Muhammad said national-plus schools would also be expected to
have a faculty breakdown of 60 percent local and 40 percent
foreign teachers.

At least 70 national-plus schools operate across the
archipelago, six of which are located in Greater Jakarta:
Central; Sevilla in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta; Global Jaya in
Bintaro and Pelita Harapan in Lippo Karawaci, both in Tangerang;
Tiara Bangsa in Cimanggis, Depok; and Madania in Parung, Bogor.

Most national-plus schools boast that their graduates and
students can gain immediate admission to international schools
and universities, but graduates of some schools are refused
admission to state universities.

"That's because they are considered as coming from
international schools," said Muhammad, adding that this would
also be regulated soon.

Central, which is constructing a Rp 80 billion (US$8.64
million) campus on a 1.8 hectare plot in South Kembangan, claims
its students can enter state universities, while receiving
certification from Britain's Cambridge University.

"A national-plus school stands between national and
international schools. Its graduates should be able to enter both
state and foreign universities," said Central president director
Sudhamek.