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AFGW-ACT
Inc. is a member of the Australian Federation of University Women which,
in turn is affiliated with the International Federation of University
Women (I.F.U.W.). |
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AFUW-ACT Inc. May 2011 Meeting Report Topic: Education in Indonesia Les Boag spoke to us about education in Indonesia at our May meeting. Les is President of the Australia Indonesia Association (AIA) and has visited Indonesia several times including spending time in a school there. THE STRUCTURE OF EDUCATIONThe Government works on 5-year plans. To decentralise regions have been given control and management of their own schools - this is partly to control corruption. The Education budget is $4.8 million but more is given in reality. Over 20% of the budget goes on education as education has a high priority with the Government. The schools are made up as follows - years 2 -3 is a play school, kinder is 4-5 year olds - these are not compulsory and are attended by children from wealthy homes. Schooling is compulsory for all children from primary years, (children years) 1-6 and junior high school years 7-9. Over 90% of children now go to school for 9 years. Senior high is for years 10 -12 and students are divided into 2 streams -a stream that prepares students for University and one that prepares students for work. The work stream is like our Technical schools but covers a wider range of vocations. 90% of children go to year 9. There is Government funding but there are things to pay for outside the funding - such as books, and uniforms. Scholarships are provided for University students. There are four levels in Universities - Diploma, Bachelor, Masters and Doctorates - very similar to our set up. Over 50% of the universities are teaching English and teaching the students to be bilingual. TYPES OF SCHOOLS There is freedom of religion in Indonesia so various religions have their own schools. As well as public schools there are also religious schools and some private schools. . Currently there are 40,000 Madrashas (Muslim schools) teaching 6million students, of which 4,000 Madrashas are government owned. A great majority of these students are from the 40 million Indonesians who live below the poverty line. 30% of Australian AusAid educational funding to Indonesia goes to support madrashas which helps to ensure those schools do not become fanatical. There are 31 Government Universities out of about 100 tertiary institutions. Many of the non-Government universities are religious but all have the same standards. These days 100% schools have a sick room and almost all schools have a library. The competency of teachers has been improving with all new teachers ‘having a tertiary qualification. ‘Education Counts’ is a principle of Government. Over 4% of high school teachers now have a masters degree. Even in East Kalimantan, one of the most isolated and poor areas, there is a 94% participation rate in primary schools. The AIA supports a junior high school called Playen near Jogjakarta; Playen is in a rain shadow so is in a poor area. AIA supports disadvantaged children with one or no parents by covering all their school costs. All children in junior high school wear uniform as do the teachers. Although a Muslim country WOMEN in Indonesia are treated equally in education; there can be more girls in a class than boys. Overseas teachers are impressed by the children’s desire to learn. Teachers are very dedicated; 4% have a masters degree. Trade Schools teach all sorts of industries and students will travel some distance to get to the school they want.
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