Singaraja values meaning of education

SINGARAJA, North Bali (JP): Singaraja, the capital city of Buleleng regency, is far from the bustling tourist and cultural glitter of South Bali.

Located 80 kilometers of Denpasar, Singaraja is a perfect place for school students. No traffic jams, no student brawls, almost no entertainment centers to disturb the youth or shopping malls for them to hang out in during the afternoon.

The city has wide roads canopied with old shady trees, and lines of big houses showcasing beautiful and elegant Dutch and Chinese architectural styles. This small town was once Bali's capital and famous as a melting pot for many different ethnic groups -- Balinese, Arab, Chinese, Buginese and Madurese. It also has colonial mansions, enigmatic royal palaces and other historical buildings.

Bali's old export and import commodities were shipped from Singaraja harbor, which is now in a dilapidated condition.

I Nyoman Mustika Suyasa, school principal of SMP I junior school, said Singaraja was once Bali's education center. "The first school in Bali was built here in Buleleng regency," Nyoman recalled.

His school, SMP I on Jl. Gajah Mada, was Bali's first Hollandsch Inlandsche School (HIS elementary school for locals).

"All the wealthy in Bali sent their children to Singaraja to attend school here because there was no other education institution in other parts of the island," Nyoman remembered.

Even students from Madura island and East Java cities like Surabaya, Malang, Jember, Ponorogo and Banyuwangi as well as from West Nusa Tenggara flocked to Singaraja to pursue their education.

"Most of the present Balinese government officials, noted scholars and businessmen graduated from Singaraja schools," he explained.

Singaraja became the first city in Bali with junior and senior high schools and the state Udayana University. It was also the center for commerce, government and culture.

The city ceased to function as the capital in 1960 with the government's designation of Denpasar.

I Made Sudjana, principal of SMA I high school on Jl. Veteran, said Singaraja had since drastically changed from a dynamic city into a deserted one with few businesses, education and cultural activities. Udayana University was also moved to Denpasar.

Located on the other side of Batur mountain from the northern routes from Denpasar, Singaraja is quite difficult to reach and therefore was isolated from the tourist influx into south Bali.

Blessing

"Denpasar is like other big cities such as Surabaya (East Java) and Jakarta, but Singaraja remains untouched by all that glitters. But, it is a blessing in disguise," said Sudjana.

Compared to their counterparts in Jakarta, Singaraja 's students are lucky, he said. They do not have to chase public transportation, do not become trapped in traffic jams and there are no brawls like those experienced by Jakarta students.

"We try to create a pleasant atmosphere in our schools with various extracurricular activities such as science clubs, scouts, sports and cultural programs," said Sudjana.

There are several new private schools in the city, including Labschool, belonging to the Singaraja's Teachers's College and the Mutiara school. Singaraja also has a teacher's college and a tourism college.

"We can't say that our students are immune to any distraction like drugs and fights. But we try hard to occupy their time with positive activities," he said.

Each junior and high school in the city strives to arrange many interesting programs for their students.

SMA I high school boasts its science club. "We won so many competitions at both provincial and national levels," Sudjana said.

SMP I is proud to have a solid marching band and creative journalistic and English clubs. "Our marching band was invited to attend the World Marching Band Competition in Melbourne, Australia, but we didn't have enough funds to attend the event," principal Nyoman asserted.

To make all programs work well, the schools need funding.

"This is a classic problem -- the lack of money and facilities -- but that is the reality because we are in a small town and the regional government provides a meager subsidy," Sudjana said.

"To conduct a scientific study, a student may spend quite a lot of money and we really don't have money to support them. The solution is through raising funds from parents and the community."

To send students to attend the National Science Contest, SMA I had to raise money from parents.

"Many schools here are reluctant to participate in national contests in Jakarta because they were afraid they wouldn't be able to afford transportation and accommodation fees," a teacher said.

It would be helpful if the regional government and local community supported academic activities, he said.

Sofar Silaen, head of the young scientists contest at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) in Jakarta, explained that LIPI will help obtain sponsors to accommodate students from outside Jakarta.

"It is encouraging to see students in small towns like Singaraja and other areas in Indonesia participate in science contests."

He added he would not be surprised to see Singaraja students win the contest because they were active in science project activities.

Finalists of this year's LIPI science contest came from Irian Jaya, East Java, South Maluku and East Kalimantan. "I wonder why there were no finalists from Jakarta where there are so many good schools," Sofar said.

Nyoman said he hoped the government and other interested parties would provide more support, such as scholarships for talented students and laboratory facilities. Otherwise, he feared, their talent would be wasted. (raw)