National-plus schools: Another alternative to obtain quality education

National-plus schools: Another alternative to obtain quality education

Debbie A. Lubis, Contributor, Jakarta

Of all kinds of education available in the Indonesian school
system, "national-plus" schools are becoming increasingly popular
among parents in big cities as an alternative way to obtain
quality learning.

Slightly different from international schools, national-plus
schools are accredited by the Ministry of Education and must
fulfill its curricula and policy requirements.

The "plus" is derived from the fact these schools also
introduce elements of an imported curriculum, which may have its
origins in Australia, the United States, Singapore, Europe or
elsewhere. A common feature, regardless of origin, is that this
"plus" is delivered in English.

The majority of national-plus schools cater for Indonesian
students with expatriate students often making up a small
proportion of the school's student population, although this can
also vary.

The schools also usually provide extensive facilities such as
sports grounds, internet-equipped computer laboratories,
libraries, music rooms and drama studios.

Gregory C. Mowday, senior principal of Sekolah Bina Nusantara,
said in most areas, international schools and national-plus
schools were similar in regard to international accreditation,
teaching methodologies and internal policies and procedures.

Located in Simprug, South Jakarta, Sekolah Bina Nusantara has
80 percent of its instruction in English and provides a learning
environment that embraces Indonesian language and cultural and
religious diversity.

Mowday said his high school graduates' qualifications were
recognized globally by all schools and tertiary institutions
because the school provided a dual secondary syllabus.

The school's high school curriculum is accredited by the
Western Australia Curriculum Council (WACC). Its teaching
methods, facilities and standards are officially monitored by the
WACC, which also examines the academic achievement of students
and the methodologies of the teachers. Based on the 2003 Ujian
Akhir Nasional (National Final Exam), Sekolah Bina Nusantara
currently ranks No. 1 in Indonesia generally and No. 2 in
Indonesia for English language.

Courses in Years 11 and 12 use the Western Australian Tertiary
Entrance Examination (TEE) curriculum and subject syllabi, in
accordance with Australian and Indonesian government regulations.

The Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) is
issued to students who meet all the requirements for their
secondary graduation. Each student's academic performance over
the final two-year period of high school will be used by
Australian and other universities abroad to determine types and
levels of university admission.

"Students wishing to enter Indonesian universities remain
enrolled until May of the following year to complete their final
Indonesian graduation requirements," Mowday said.

The school also provides a Primary Years Program (PYP) from
the International Baccalaureate for middle schools, which is
based on the internationally recognized Western Australian
curriculum framework and is supported by the Indonesian national
curriculum. Sekolah Bina Nusantara is in the process of applying
to be a candidate school and offer the International
Baccalaureate's Middle Years Program (MYP).

School fees for the pre-school are Rp 1.8 million (about
US$215) per month; elementary school fees are Rp 2.45 million;
middle school fees Rp 2.6 million; and high school fees Rp 3.9
million a month. "Longer-term school fee packages that offer a
significant discount are also available," Mowday said.

Meanwhile at Sekolah Pelita Harapan, graduates can gain
International Baccalaureate Organization certificates and Council
of International School stamps of approval, making it easy for
them to apply to international schools or universities overseas.

The school has three campuses -- the Sentul campus is a fully
authorized International Baccalaureate school, offering the IB
Diploma, Middle Years and Primary Years programs. The Karawaci
campus also offers all three IB programs, is authorized in the IB
Diploma and Middle Years programs and is awaiting final
authorization for the Primary Years Program. Cikarang has started
all three programs and is awaiting authorization.

In addition, the Karawaci campus is accredited by the Council
of International Schools (CIS) and has national accreditation for
elementary, junior high and high school levels.

Sekolah Pelita Harapan deputy headmaster Darrell Van Luchene,
said while subjects offered varied from campus to campus, the
performing arts, physical education, sport, and Mandarin were
all part of the school's program.

"Our students are taught problem solving and reasoning skills.
In addition, character development is part of the program, as we
have the mission of preparing leaders for Indonesia's future,"

The enquiry method of instruction was used from kindergarten
to grade 12. "Students are evaluated in the national school based
primarily on exams, but the international schools use a variety
of assessment methods to evaluate learning."

At Sekolah Global Jaya, students are at the center of the
learning and teaching process. Delivering international and
Indonesian curricula, the school puts a high priority on problem
solving and creative learning skills.

Indonesian and expatriate teachers (around 20 percent) from
Australia, the United Kingdom and the U.S. work together at the
school. The ratio between teachers and students is about 120:700.

"The outcome of the learning is not only content-based, but
also about skills and attitude. Upon leaving school, students
will become critical thinkers, problem-solvers, effective
communicators, collaborative workers, self-directed learners and
moral and tolerant individuals," said Kenneth J. Cock, the
school's executive principal.

Located in Bintaro, Tangerang, Sekolah Global Jaya implements
the International Baccalaureate's Primary Years Program from
kindergarten until year 6; and the secondary (Middle Years
Program for years 7 to 10). The Victorian Certificate of
Education (VCE) program from Victoria, Australia is offered to
senior secondary students (years 11 and 12).

"We cater to the needs of Indonesian students growing up in
Indonesia. Therefore, subjects such as Bahasa Indonesia, history
and personal and social development are taught in line with the
needs of Indonesian students. As a national-plus school, there is
also no quota restricting the acceptance of Indonesian students
studying the national curricula. We cater for both Indonesians
and expatriates," Cock said.

Global Jaya has also received full accreditation from the
Western Association of Schools and Colleges, an accreditation
body from the U.S. Its kindergarten fees are around Rp 2.9
million per month; fees from year 1 to 12 are Rp 3.1 million per
month and their is a contribution to the development fund of Rp
11 million.