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)