International schools for expatriates in RI

International schools for expatriates in RI

JAKARTA (JP): The number of expatriates living in the capital
and other areas of Indonesia has increased in recent years,
regardless of the unfavorable conditions repeatedly hitting
Indonesia.

The country, to some extent, continues to play a particular
role internationally. As the nation's capital, Jakarta plays a
major role in the country's life, where commercial and diplomatic
affairs are conducted. It has evolved into a big cosmopolitan
city, home to many expatriates. Other cities and areas in
Indonesia have also become beacons for expatriates. Such
conditions have induced a growth in the number of international
schools.

The schools' establishment is supported by the government,
which realizes that local educational institutions cannot
accommodate foreign students. It is widely believed that these
schools adopt better educational systems, more professional
teachers and more sophisticated facilities.

Thanks to some parties concerned about this, some local
educational institutions and other parties have developed
international standard schools with associated systems for local
students. Indonesians are not allowed to attend international
schools. There are also some educational institutions operating
in collaboration with overseas schools, or under a franchise
scheme, such as Uniprep and Kinderland, respectively.

Kusma Adhisumarta of the office of Private Schools of the
Ministry of Education and Culture, said that the number of
international schools operating in Indonesia totaled 42 -- the
same as last year -- including 14 in Jakarta, nine in West Java,
three in East Java and three in Irian Jaya.

Based on data the ministry released last year, these schools
have 10,829 students, 895 foreign teachers and 181 local
teachers. There are also international schools operating in other
provinces, including Riau, Bali, South Sulawesi, West Kalimantan
and Yogyakarta.

The first international schools date back to some five decades
ago, when the capital had the Jakarta International School and
the Gandhi Memorial School. International schools in Jakarta now
include the North Jakarta International School, the Singapore
International School, the Netherlands International School, the
British International School and the Jakarta Japanese School.

Among the international schools located outside Jakarta are
Bogor Expatriate School, Semarang International School, Bandung
German International School, Central Java International Mission
School, Yogyakarta International School and Bali International
School.

There are also international schools in remote areas because
of the establishment of multinational corporations, which employ
a large number of expatriates, some of whom bring their families,
thus schooling for the children is necessary.

Regulations concerning international schools are based on an
agreement made by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance in l975.

There are three types of international schools: diplomatic
schools, diplomatic-international schools and international
schools. A diplomatic school is established by a country's
embassy. Students are children of diplomats and citizens of that
country. Mixed diplomatic and international schools are attended
by children from a number of countries. International schools are
established by foundations or institutions for expatriate
children from all countries.

Most schools are fully equipped with international standard
educational equipment and curricula. Some adopt the educational
system and curriculum of their countries of origins.

Seemun Suparno from Kinderland said that she was satisfied
that her kindergarten could offer quality early childhood
education for the students as it had a license from Singapore.

Bogor Expatriate School claims to offer education based on the
International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program, to children of
expatriates living in Indonesia. The school offers a friendly
community-minded atmosphere, excellent academic standards and a
commitment to a multicultural education.

The Singapore International School is modeled after the
Singapore concept of education in an international environment.
Its teachers are recruited from Singapore and have extensive
experience with the Singapore curriculum.

At Semarang International School, teachers are drawn mainly
from the United Kingdom and Australia. They are all certified by
the Ministry of Education in their own countries. Set up in 1982,
the Semarang International School is independent, where every
individual counts just as much as the other, where tolerance and
freedom of expression in a multi-faith community are valued
highly.

In Bali, there is Bali International School, serving the needs
of the expatriates on the island. Opening in 1986, the school
boasts a significant roll growth with students from more than 25
nationalities. It is accredited by schools from the U.S. and
Australia. (icn)