It was started three years ago with the involvement of Sampoerna Foundation. Ever since, education in Muba has attracted the attention of several international education institutions Head of the regency H Alex Noerdin believes that the interest showed by foreign institutions is related to his administration’s policies having a great care for education. All students from elementary school to senior high school level are no longer required to pay for tuition fee and BP3 contribution. Moreover, the administration also provides school text books. Scholarships granted for civil servant teachers who study in the D3 and S1 level also prompt foreign education institutions to participate in developing education in Muba.

Alex Noerdin’s success in developing education sector has finally drawn the appreciation of some figures. Elan Merdy, Chief Operating Officer Sampoerna Foundation (SF), for instance, said that the development of education in Sekayu is extra-ordinary, especially in SMU Unggul Sekayu. Therefore, the school is very interesting to be made a model. "We hope, the development and the management of SMU Unggul Sekayu could be implemented in other schools," said Elan Merdy.

Sampoerna Foundation has been working together with regional administration and international education institutions to develop education in some regions. Recently in Sekayu, along with the wife of British Ambassador Enid Humpre and the Director of the British Council Prof Mike Hardy, Alex Noerdin visited all high schools in Sekayu one by one. The regent of Muba showed to the West that education, as a means to produce qualified human resources, is not only the responsibility of the government., but private institutions’ as well, like the Sampoerna Foundation. 

By involving private institutions, Alex Noerdin wants to show that the education management by the regency administration is not bad. With seriousness and clear commitment, education quality could be improved.Wife of British Ambassador Enid Humpre and the Director of the British Council Prof. Mike Hardy praised Alex Noerdin achievement in building human resources in his regency. After hearing about the School Quality Improvement Program run by the Sampeorna Foundation in Muba, they are interested to see the condition directly in Sekayu. “I want to see how far the program run by Sampoerna Foundation could bring benefit. It turns out to be very satisfying," said Mike Hardy praising.

Mr Terje Magson Watterdal  from International Development Partner (IDP) Norway, also praises Muba for being the first regency that realizes the importance of inclusive education as the basis of education for all. Without inclusive education, the government’s determination to provide education for all will never work. This regions’ leader is fully aware of it. “Many advantages could be taken with the implementation of inclusive education. Teachers would be able to teach anytime. Fulfilling all children’s rights to access to education, by taking into account academic, social, physical and emotional differences. I could see these being implemented well in Sekayu," said Mr Terje Magson Watterdal.

Terje Magson said there is an impression that Muba regency authoiorities pay a great concern on education. “I agree with what Muba Regent Alex Noerdin said that to produce good students, teachers have to upgrade their knowledge and understanding on students. These children will grow in the hands of teachers. For me, being a teacher is more than just a job; it is a devotion to the students. Teachers should transfer their knowledge unpresumptuously. And I see many of them have been doing this in Muba," she said.

After witnessing education development in Muba, Executive Director of Lien Aid, Hassan Ahmad, said, “I have seen SF’s role participating in advancing the development of education in Muba. SF provides the software and we provide the hardware. What we are implementing is not a new technology, but the right one that could help the children and the community in.