'Super class' starts activities

Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A special Super Class of 20 students with an average intelligence quotient (IQ) of 150 began its first day of school on Monday at State High School No. 3 in Setiabudi, South Jakarta.

The 20 students were selected from thousands of junior high school graduates in a stringent selection process held in August and September, in a bid to specially coach them as international Science Olympiad candidates.

The idea of the Super Class was floated by noted scientist Yohanes Surya, the person behind the success of several students recently who won medals at the International Science Olympiads.

The students come from State High Schools No. 8, 14, 28, 34, 39, 47, 61, 68, 70, 71, and 112, all in the Greater Jakarta area.

A specially made curriculum has been devised that focuses on science subjects, including mathematics, physics, biology, and chemistry, all developed by Yohanes, and will be taught by a group of experienced university lecturers.

During the first year, the class will study material normally given to university students doing a bachelor's program, said PT BMW Indonesia in a statement. PT BMW is one of the program's founding partners, together with the city education agency, and the Indonesian Physics Olympiad Foundation.

In the second and third year, the students will study material normally given to master's degree and doctoral students.

In response to concerns about possible imbalance in the students' personal development due to the heavy science-oriented curriculum, BMW said that the Super Class would also be taught Indonesian, English, ethics, religion, computer, arts, and sports on Fridays and Saturdays.