New international school embraces all nationals

New international school embraces all nationals

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

As a new school that just opened its doors in July, the Bunda
Mulia Australian International School on Jl. Lodan, Ancol, North
Jakarta, has drawn a remarkable number of Indonesian students to
access the international education it provides.

Established by the Australian International School and the Bunda
Mulia Foundation, the school enriches its Australian curriculum
-- from the Australian Capital Territory, Canberra -- with local
content, such as Indonesian and Chinese cultures and languages.

"Currently we have 218 students, including some from Korea,
India, Taiwan and China," said David Simojoki, the head of the
school management, adding that more than 90 percent of the
students were Indonesians.

The school offers five levels of education: nursery, pre-
kindergarten, kindergarten, elementary and junior high. Next year
the school will open a high school.

According to Bunda Mulia Foundation chairwoman Rita Djoko
Susanto, the school has adopted an Australian curriculum in a bid
to accommodate students who plan to earn their degrees at
Australian universities in the years to come.

"Based on a survey early this year, Australia is a preferred
destination for Indonesian students in continuing their studies.
The survey showed that around 18,000 active students are studying
in Australia," Rita told The Jakarta Post.

The school's teachers, mostly Australians, provide both
Australian and Indonesian elements in their lessons, said the
school's director of operations, Kurnia Sukrisna.

The school also provides special needs support in class. For
example, it has a special needs center to serve autistic children
and those with behavioral difficulties. Meanwhile, for gifted
students, an enrichment program is available to develop their
special interests.

Simojoki said that the school welcomed students from all
religions and all cultures.

"In the Australian education system, we don't teach a
particular religion. Although we teach about religions in general
as part of the social environment program, we don't emphasize any
particular religion."

Simojoki said that international students would not face any
problems in transferring to schools in their home countries as
the Bunda Mulia's report cards were accepted everywhere, while
students transferring to the school were required to take a test.

International students would also be introduced to Indonesian
culture. The school, for example, would bring its junior high
students to visit Yogyakarta, Central Java, in the near future.

"We will celebrate Indonesian Independence Day by wearing
traditional clothing and continue the celebration on Friday by
organizing Indonesian games and competitions," said Simojoki.

The school also has spacious classrooms, with each
accommodating a maximum of 25 students, outdoor and indoor
sports facilities, a library, computer and science laboratories,
and multipurpose and performing arts auditoriums.

The tuition fees range from Rp 900,000 per month to Rp 4
million, on top of a fixed Rp 10 million entrance fee, depending
on the level, Kurnia said.

Besides the Bunda Mulia school, the Australian International
School has two other campuses in Kemang, South Jakarta, and one
in Bali.(004)