Growth and diplomatic ties boost international schools
Growth and diplomatic ties boost international schools
JAKARTA (JP): As a metropolitan city, Jakarta is experiencing
a rapid growth in its international community, which has been
boosted by economic development.
International business activities, along with an escalation of
diplomatic ties, have spurred the growing number of international
schools in the capital, as well as in many other parts of the
country.
The establishment of these schools is supported by the
government, which is aware that local educational institutions
cannot accommodate foreign students. It is no secret that, in
general, international schools have better educational systems,
more professional teachers and more sophisticated facilities.
Even though those Indonesians who could afford it might be lured
by this superior quality, local schools are not threatened
because Indonesians are not allowed to attend international
schools.
"So far, international schools accommodate children of
diplomatic staffs and expatriates working here on a temporary
basis, therefore there is no problem and it is no threat to local
schools," Nasichin, director of private schools at the Ministry
of Education and Culture, said.
According to the latest data from the Ministry of Education
and Culture, there are 42 international schools operating across
Indonesia, including 14 in Jakarta, nine in West Java, three in
East Java and three in Irian Jaya.
These schools currently have 10,829 students, 895 foreign
teachers and 181 local teachers.
Some provinces, including Bali, Aceh, Riau, South Sulawesi.
West Kalimantan and Yogyakarta, have one international school
each.
In the 1960s or 1970s, there were only a few international
schools, such as the Jakarta International School and the Gandhi
Memorial School. The later, the oldest in the country, was
founded in 1950. Now, there are special international schools for
citizens of India, Korea, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Germany,
Britain and other countries.
Nasichin said international schools were operating in remote
provinces like Aceh and Irian Jaya because of the establishment
of multinational companies, including PT Arun in Aceh, PT Caltex
in Riau and PT Freeport Indonesia in Irian Jaya.
These companies employ a large number of expatriate managers
and technicians. Some of these expatriate bring their families
with them, making special school for their children a necessity.
"But the government requires such companies also build schools
for local children," he said.
Dr. M. Hatta, assistant director for private school affairs at
the ministry, said regulations concerning the establishment of
international schools were based on an agreement made by the
Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and the Ministry of Finance in l975.
International schools fall into three categories: diplomatic
schools, a mix of diplomatic and international schools and
international schools.
Diplomatic schools are established by a country's embassy. Its
students are children of diplomats and citizens of the country.
Mixed diplomatic and international school are attended by
children from a number of countries.
International schools are established by foundations or
institutions to accommodate expatriate children from all
countries.
"Each category has its own regulations to monitor its
operations," Hatta said.
International schools adopt the educational systems and
curricula of their countries of origins. He said that Indonesian
students were not allowed to enroll in international schools.
Indonesians who do not want to go to local schools may pursue
their educations at bilingual educational institutions, a number
of which have been established in Jakarta in response to the
growing demand.
To oversee the development and operation of international
schools in the country, the government has set up a special team
comprising officials from the Ministry of Education and Culture,
Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of
Justice and Ministry of Finance.
"The managements of international schools are obliged to
present reports on the condition of their schools, students,
teachers and staff every six months," Hatta said.
Employment, financial and tax reports also are required.
Most schools regularly file their reports, but others often
miss the deadline for filing their reports, he said.
There have been violations of student enrollment, the
employment of foreign teachers and school permits. "We try to
probe violations case-by-case," Nasichin said.
The existence of international schools -- as well as local
schools -- in densely-populated areas of the city and in centers
of business could create problems.
"Some people have lodged complaints that traffic is disturbed,
particularly during after-school hours," he said.
In some cases, there are cultural conflicts between students
and locals. Nasichin called on international students to
understand the culture of the Indonesian people to prevent any
misunderstandings.
A number of international schools have relocated to the
outskirts of Jakarta, including the British School, which moved
from Permata Hijau to Pondok Aren in Tangerang, and the German
School, which relocated from Jl. Sam Ratulangi in Central Jakarta
and Jl. Prapanca in South Jakarta to a 4.7-hectare plot of land
in the Bumi Serpong Damai housing complex in Tangerang.
Most international schools are fully equipped with
international standard educational equipment and curricula.
"Indonesian schools and private schools may learn a valuable
lesson on how to operate a good school and prepare innovative
lessons," Nasichin said. (raw)