EDUCATION

International standard schools: Some insights

Setiono Sugiharto, Contributor, Jakarta | Sun, 12/12/2010 2:16 PM A|A|A|

There is a strong indication that in the near future the National Education Ministry will fully support international standard project schools (RSBI) that are currently operating as well as more relatively established international standard schools (SBI). Despite the public outcry over this policy, the ministry seems adamant that it will continue to allow the operation of the schools. Many education experts have alerted us to the fact that the operation of schools with the label international not only undermines the spirit of national education, but also further widens the gap between the affluent and the poor. Their warning should not be taken as an exaggeration, owing to the fact that the politics of national education seems to have lost its orientation. Swept away by the wave of globalization, our national education is forced to swing to the other extreme by bowing to the discourse on modernity to the virtual exclusion of our national identity. Under this discourse on modernity, powerful nations often exert a considerable influence in shaping the perceptions of what constitutes reality, which is often manifested in different tangible forms, one being the use of language. Such is the case where we are now celebrating the craze of the use of the English language or, to borrow American linguist Stephen Krashens term, English fever in our education landscape. There is a growing tendency among both the elite classes and society at large to consider everything with an international-sounding name as a panacea for our troubling education system, which has long been marred with never-ending unnecessary and often counter-productive disputes. While there is no question that as a nation in the pursuit of modernity we need to be progressive in our efforts to advance our education system, we must not allow ourselves to become enmeshed and disoriented in this globalized world. A word of wisdom by noted Indonesian education expert Mochtar Buchori is relevant here. He once asserted that the perspective of progressivism is needed to complement the perspective of conservatism, but cautiously warned a blind adherence to progressivism can lead to disorientation. The boom of local schools both state-funded and private claiming to use an international curriculum may indicate that we have leapt far away from conservatism to progressivism without being cognizant of where we actually are and what educational vision we are adopting. Our elite classes and the publics knowledge about RSBI and SBI, likely due to a lack of a clear vision, is limited to the use of English as a medium of instruction in the classroom, the use of highly-advanced technological equipment to support learning, schools equipped with modern facilities, and the adoption of curricula and assessment instruments from advanced countries. As a means that can facilitate and accelerate teaching and learning process, we ineluctably need all of these. However, what we fail to understand is that some of these supporting factors are the product of a cultural determination which may be ecologically unfriendly to our context rather than the product of our own creation. Education in general, and schools in particular should never take place in a social vacuum, because their existence shapes and is shaped by the society in which they operate. To counterbalance the possible negative impact of the schools with an international

label operating in the local context, we need to place these schools in a broader sociological context, which helps provide a useful framework against which any educational practice can be assessed. The writer is an associate professor at Atma Jaya Catholic University, Jakarta. He is chief editor of Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and can be contacted at setiono.sugiharto@atmajaya.ac.id

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| | | | Comments (1) | | | |

syarwan Ahmad, Banda Aceh | Thu, 23/12/2010 - 12:12pm In most countries especially developing ones international standard schools are criticized and blamed for discrimination, exclusiveness and so on. That is why it is difficult to find theories on sekolah unggulan. In fact that is the reality. Even in developed nations there are many sekolah unggulan or sekolah model or sekolah elit or any other names. Critically speaking, human rights issues are also here. Every body knows that human being learn at different paces. Some learn extremely fast. Some learn fast. Some learn at an average rate. Some learn slowly. We are obliged to provide room for the excellent. If the reason is nationalism etc., it is weak. If you want to develop your nation you may want to provide young generations who are on alert to compete and face the challenges. I think international standard schools are fine. We educate young generation, not only for officers, staff in offices, but more than that. we need specialists, scientists, researchers, analysts etc of international standing. Coloring the curriculum of the schools with local values is ok. BW Syarwan Aceh

Indonesians in search of study opportunities in Europe

Kazuhiro Kitamura, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sun, 10/24/2010 10:28 AM A|A|A|

Studying abroad is not an impossible dream. Now many European higher education institutions have opened their doors to provide opportunities for Indonesian students. My dream is to work at Boeing, says 22-year-old student Adam Adiwinata at the European Higher Education Fair 2010, held at Kartika Expo Center, Balai Kartini, Jakarta. He has been thinking of studying in Europe since he attended the University of Indonesia (UI). The professors like to talk about how good the facilities and education systems in European countries are, and I am intrigued, he says. After graduating from UI with a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering, he is planning to pursue his studies in Germany. Europe has a worldwide reputation as a prestigious learning destination. In addition to academic excellence, reasonable tuition fees and daily costs, a wide variety of degree programs entice students and professionals into a dynamic and multinational study environment. A graduate student at Tarumanagara University in West Jakarta, Listiana Retta is currently studying architecture, but is hoping to one day study urban planning and business in Germany. I am going to take German language lessons in Indonesia in the near future, she says. I would love to live and work in Germany, and it would be great if I could set up a business as an architecture consultant, she added. After having the experience of staying in Japan for a few weeks as an exchange student, NGO staff member Chika Djati believes that studying abroad is a wonderful opportunity to broaden horizons. You will learn new language[s] and develop your personality by differentiating yourself, your culture, and other cultures, she says. You will also learn how to be tolerant and not to be judgmental by dealing with other people. However, pursuing studies in other countries may not always turn out to be fun. Students may face problems and difficulties in both learning and living in a different environment. The big challenges are coping with culture shock, homesickness, and changes in lifestyle, weather and food, says Yanuar Kurniawan, the representative for HAN University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. Students may also struggle to overcome language barriers, but living in a multicultural society is a chance to make new friends from around the world. Kurniawan studied for a masters degree in automotive systems at the university and realized the difference between student learning styles in Indonesia and the constituent country. Indonesian universities tend to offer theoretical courses, but the universities in the Netherlands do offer more practical courses. Heleen Harms-Tijssen, the course director of Rotterdam Business School, states Indonesia is a huge education market. In fact, numerous scholarships offered for students from Indonesia show how much potential the worlds fourth most populous country has in the market. Students will integrate international knowledge and skills, and many career opportunities will be open to them, she says. Harms-Tijssen emphasizes how important it is for future students to choose the right education program. Consider what you aim for and want to gain, where and what to study, and get information about which higher education institution offers the best program for you. The European Higher Education Fair in Indonesia, held on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 9-10, 2010, was funded by the European Union (EU), participating higher education institutions and sponsoring companies. A total of around 70 European higher education institutions and national

representatives of EU member states were represented. More than 10,000 visitors attended the two-day education fair.

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| | | | Comments (3) | | | |

Fred Daar, Jakarta | Thu, 10/03/2011 - 13:03pm a will to study abroad can be found on every young generation now days. they may have a great wish to get such chance, however it's sometimes difficult for them to get to know how they discover the way to be one of the scholar. I really appreciate this effort of government to give the wonderful chances for those who have a hope and wish to develop their knowledge to study abroad. For me myself, i really have a will to obtain this great chance. however, i always had trouble in finding way to participate. may be this is the first stage of me in finding the way i hoped,,,
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Fred Daar, Jakarta | Thu, 10/03/2011 - 13:03pm a will to study abroad can be found on every young generation now days. they may have a great wish to get such chance, however it's sometimes difficult for them to get to know how they discover the way to be one of the scholar. I really appreciate this effort of government to give the wonderful chances for those who have a hope and wish to develop their knowledge to study abroad. For me myself, i really have a will to obtain this great chance. however, i always had trouble in finding way to participate. may be this is the first stage of me in finding the way i hoped,,,
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rain, balikpapan | Mon, 29/11/2010 - 03:11am This is great for the youth and the future of Indonesia.