Jakarta International Montessori School

Jakarta International Montessori School

Schools used to be an intimidating place where children were coerced by adults into learning, punished for misbehavior and humiliated when their grades fell behind other children's. Thus, schooling became a chore to be endured on the path to adulthood. Many parents, having experienced unpleasant schooling themselves, now recognize these approaches as unhealthy; they want their children to have more fun than they did in school.

The Jakarta International Montessori School (JIMS) may be what these parents are looking for. Started more than four years ago, the school uses an alternative teaching method based on the Montessori philosophy.

Maria Montessori, born in 1870, was the first woman doctor of medicine in Italy. Her philosophy for early childhood education continues to be adopted by schools all over the world today.

"JIMS is a child-centered school," said Frank Richardson, Principal and Director of the school. "We tailor our teaching to each child based on their individual strengths and weaknesses."

This approach is what sets the school apart from other international schools. The school admits children from the age of two-and-a-half to 12, making it the only primary school in Jakarta using the Montessori method of teaching. Although Montessori preschools have been around in Jakarta for more than 10 years, Montessori primary schools are a new concept.

"It's completely opposite to the Indonesian education system. Here, instead of being passive, children can question what the teachers tell them," Richardson said. "We want to develop initiative in our children, to get them thinking for themselves, and be adaptive to different environments." The school incorporates the Bintaro Independent Personal School, allowing it to admit local as well as foreign students.

Unlike conventional schools, JIMS strives to develop each child as a whole person -- mentally, physically and spiritually -- by enhancing their self-esteem, self-confidence, inner discipline and independence. This refreshing approach is reflected in the range of activities offered by the school.

For instance, instead of pushing children through education, the school encourages them to think and ask questions through a variety of creative and stimulating activities. "There is a natural drive in children to learn, as long as the right environment and opportunities are provided," Richardson explained.

The school provides specially designed equipment to train children to apply all their senses in learning. Preschoolers learn to recognize alphabets not just by looking, but also by feeling the special surface texture that defines the alphabet. Manipulative materials such as knobbed cylinders that fit only in their own sockets teach a child abstract concepts that are applicable in mathematics and practical life.

A series of wooden models, designed to explain natural phenomenon such as volcanoes and rain, are placed on a low shelf, to be picked up, touched and examined by the children, at their own pace. As a result, children learn things that interest them at the moment.

Taking a tour around the school, one could see how different this school is.

In one class, every child was doing a different thing. This is because children here are given the freedom to choose, with guidance, the assignments they want to do. Older children can select the projects of their choice and develop them through their own research either in the library or in the computer station. This encourages independence and self-discipline to develop.

In another class, children from the age of 5 to 7 were put together.

"We're trying to develop vertical integration within the class by encouraging cooperation between the different age groups," Richardson explained. According to the Montessori philosophy, children like to work together and love to share what they have just learned.

"We teach children to have respect and tolerance for one another, rather than encouraging division of any kind," Richardson continued. "In some countries, divisions in race, class and schools may have contributed to student violence." At JIMS, children begin their school day with a fun activity aimed at cultivating a strong sense of community.

This sense of belonging, in turn, creates a sense of responsibility in children, which eliminates a great deal of childhood misbehavior. At JIMS, the children can be heard talking freely, but never making loud noises.

Richardson attributed this to the children's sense of responsibility. "We teach them to be motivated from within," he said.

Based on a blend of the British and New Zealand curricula, the subjects taught at JIMS include art and craft, music, dance, geography, science, mathematics, Bahasa Indonesia and French. For sports, the children are taken to the nearby International Sports Club of Indonesia, where they swim, and play football, badminton and baseball.

Since the riots in May last year, many parents' priority is safety when choosing schools. Richardson said the school understands this concern and keeps a close watch on what's going on in society. The school was able to send all the children home safely during the riots last May.

JIMS also provides transportation to some areas of Jakarta. "We have special procedures for our bus drivers in the event of riots. Each bus is also assigned a chaperon, who will take the children to a safe place," said Richardson.

JIMS employs teachers who are highly trained and experienced in the Montessori teaching method. The teachers' task is to control the environment and guide the child in exploring the world. They recognize that learning is a process of mutual discovery, and they achieve success when the child no long requires his or her assistance. The school uses educational material that is mainly imported from Britain, the U.S. and Australia.

Another advantage of JIMS over other international schools is the cost.

"Our fees are less than 50 percent of what other Western international schools are charging," Richardson said. "Moreover, there is no capital levy in our payment scheme." Most international schools require a heavy deposit on enrollment.

While the economic climate may seem unfavorable for international schools, Richardson said that the number of children enrolled at JIMS has increased since the economic crisis. The school is responding to this demand by planning the building of new premises at Bukit Mas, off Jl. Veteran, Rempoa. These new premises will have the capacity to accommodate 180 children. JIMS has also opened a branch school in Balikpapan.

Looking at the number of happy faces throughout the school, it seems that parents have finally found a happy place for their children.

For further information, call the school direct on 7350505 or 9117549, or e-mail khresna@cbn.net.id. (Sadie Mah)