Teachers Exchange Ideas and Thoughts

On 22 September Purworejo district visited Banyumas district. The participants included school supervisors, principals, teachers and school committee members from the MBE target schools. They wanted to learn about the development of the MBE target schools in Banyumas district, which have been in the MBE program for over one year. They were welcomed at the district office of Dinas Pendidikan, Banyumas by Bpk Haris (representing the Head of the Dinas Pendidikan, Banyumas). The team then visited a number of schools in Kebasen and Ajibarang sub-districts.

Their activities included classroom observation and discussion. In the photograph above you can see Ibu Marfuah from Purworejo district observing a lesson and having discussions with one of the SMPN 3 Ajibarang teachers.

On the right Bpk Joni Raharjo, a SMP PGRI Butuh teacher can be seen in discussion with Ibu Ngatminah. The dis-cussions were about their understanding of PAKEM, how to implement it, tips to help with implementation in the classroom, and how to solve problems.

The activity greatly benefited both the visitors and those being visited. For the visitors it was useful to compare the schools they visited with their own schools. And for the schools being visited it helped to encourage further development. Hopefully the benefits for both parties will lead to even further development and even better achievement.

A Story from SDN 1 Kebasen

Many changes have taken place at SDN 1 Kebasen. Since the SBM and community participation training, the school committee has become more active in the development of their school. They have just completed the construction of a wall around the school (photo below). The committee provided the materials and labor themselves.

The teachers were surprised when the materials arrived at the school because they hadn't ordered them. Changes have also taken place within the learning activities in the school. Both teachers and students are being more creative in finding learning resources, and are not just relying upon textbooks. As an example, students went to look at the Gerak Serayu dam which is located near their school. Working in groups they then reported their findings.

Dewi Nur Cahyani (photo right) is showing the results of her group's discussion. Another example, this time from grade 5 students. The subject topic was the "Culture of Banyumas" and their task was to make tempe (soya bean cake) from soya beans. The students acquired the information necessary to make tempe directly from experts who are experienced tempe manufacturers. The results were varied, some were good and some not so good.

This may be because the information came from different sources, and maybe the quality of the explanations varied. Or maybe the students' level of understanding may also have varied. From this they proved that learning can take place effectively from other sources besides the textbook. They learned to make use of their environment as a learning resource. The learning was much better because they experienced it for themselves and enjoyed the experience.

Full of Enthusiasm!

The PAKEM 3 training for teachers and principals at Banyumas district was conducted during August. The 4 days training was conducted in Ajibarang sub-district from 2 - 5 August and in Kebasen sub-district from 6 - 9 August. The package 3 training teaches the participants to analyze the 2004 curriculum. This is what teachers and principals had been waiting for.

The photo on the right shows the training in Ajibarang sub-district which was conducted at SDN 1 Ajibarang Wetan. Bpk Sukur, a facilitator from SDN Bentul, Kebasen, together with the training participants, are having fun discussing the social sciences curri-culum. They were so enthusiastic that they sat on the floor because they said they found it easier to work. Enjoy the work, we wish you every success!!!