(Sekayu, BP) Musi Banyuasin (Muba) Regency has once again made great strides in Indonesia’s education.

Its achievements and strong commitment in the field of education has prompted the Sampoerna Foundation (SF) to once again select Muba as a pilot to serve as a model for its international curriculum implementation (USI) initiative, which is also being implemented in Bali and Malang.

Previously, SF has engaged in several endeavors to increase the quality of education in Muba through its United Schools Program (USP), a program aimed at making the senior high school SMA Negeri 2 Sekayu as a model school.

This grand plan was communicated by USP Director Ronald Stones, USP Consultant Ahmad Rizali, and Adhitya Abriansyah during their presentation on the program implementation of USI to the Muba regent H. Alex Noerdin, on Thursday, 19 June 2008.

USP Director Ronald Stones explained that the program blends international curriculum from Cambridge and the national curriculum.

Mr. Stones mentioned that SF selected SMA Negeri Sekayu for the international curriculum program based on five reasons, which are: attractive school facilities, determined principal, high caliber students, accommodating school facilities, and most importantly the terrific support from the Local Government at regional level (Pemkab) of Muba.

Mr. Ronald who successfully established the British School as well as two senior high schools in Singapore said the amazing traits Muba exude are excellence, inclusion, and innovation.

“Muba has done great things, opening up access to education for children from all layers of society, starting from the poorest, the secluded even to the disabled, and Muba is also a pioneer in tuition free education in Indonesia,” he stated.

Implementation of the United Schools International Program will begin immediately with Grade 10 students at SMA Negeri 2 Unggul Sekayu studying for the Cambridge International Examination.

Musi Banyuasin Regent H Alex Noerdin received the plans for the USI program at SMA Negeri 2 Unggul Sekayu.

The outcome of this initiative will be the introduction and application of accredited international standards into SMA Negeri 2 Unggul Sekayu.

It is to be noted, according to Muba’s regent, that SMA Negeri 2 Unggul Sekayu has previously been recognized as a public school with RSBI program status.

School improvement quality program conducted in Muba, as Mr. Alex Noerdin noted, is not for SMA Negeri Unggul Sekayu alone, rather also for other schools in Muba and surrounding area.

Moreover, Mr. Noerdin added, the international standard program being implemented here, is not limited to senior high school and equivalent levels, but also to be implemented at the Local Government’s Nursing Academy and a public trade school in Sekayu.

Other improvements in education include the establishment of an international standard Madrasah Aliyah and Moslem student – physician program in collaboration with Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah.

Meanwhile, USP Director Ronald Stones explained that recent scientific breakthroughs as well as new tools and infrastructured developments in the education field have laid the groundwork for the implementation of USI.

Moreover, he has seen hope and motivation among the young generation grow in parallel to the developments. “They possess a strong desire to advance, and see more of the world ,” he said.
 
As regards to strategy for the implementation, six subjects at Grade 10 and 11 will be taught by experienced teachers who will use English as the language of instruction.

Then, in Grade 11 students are given the choice between the international curriculum or the national curriculum prior to proceeding to the next grade. Students that opt for the international curriculum will be given a test.

Hence, at Grade 11, two curricula will be used, namely the national and international one, while at Grade 12 all students will follow the national curriculum. Upon completing the international curriculum with passing grades, students will be awarded the IGCSE certificate from Cambridge University.

The certificate is internationally recognized by countries where English is spoken. “When we speak of international standard schools, we refer to schools that award IGCSE certificates,” Mr. Stones said.

Meanwhile, Head of Local Education Office Ade Karyana indicated that USI programs are a continuation of USP programs which have been executed by Sampoerna Foundation.

Several schools that are under the auspices of SF are being evaluated, and their progress monitored. The results of this monitoring activity, according to Ade, is Muba’s selection into becoming one of the first three schools undergoing the USI program in Indonesia.