Sleman develops 'superior' schools

YOGYAKARTA: In a bid to increase the number of quality schools in the province, the Sleman Education Office is creating "superior" schools with curricula especially designed to meet local needs.

The head of the education office, Muh. Bachrum, said early this week there were 14 "superior" schools being developed in the regency. They consist of four elementary schools, five junior high schools and five high schools.

"This is a small number compared to the total number of 1,264 schools in Sleman, but five years from now hopefully we will be able to make each of our schools here 'superior' schools," Bachrum said on Tuesday.

He said that unlike other "superior" schools that were developed through a top-down approach, Sleman's versions were based on educational concepts designed by each of the separate schools.

That way, he said, the concepts will best meet the needs of local students.

"All we do is prove guidance; a 'superior' school should enrich itself with practice instead of theory," he said. Bachrum added that the government had allocated Rp 100 million to help the schools develop their curricula. -- JP