BANYUMAS: SDN Karangbanar Eager to Learn

SDN Karangbanar is one of the non MBE partners schools, whose school principal and committee has been given the opportunity to take part in MBE training. As a result of this training, SDN Karangbanar learned about the term 'community participation'.

Although they had been doing these sorts of activities for a long time, they previously used the term 'gotong royong' (self-help). The picture on the right shows the community's involvement in the school. Bpk Heri, the principal of SDN Karangbanar is seen with a group of community members working together to improve the school environment.

With their increased under-standing of community participation, the level of community involvement in developing the school has risen. Although the government has introduced school operational funding (BOS), this has not decreased the enthusiasm of the community for supporting the school. At first people thought this meant free schooling but, after meetings between parents, neighborhood leaders and the community, an understanding was reached.

The community was aware that the BOS was insufficient to develop the school adequately. The whole community, not only the students' parents, were very concerned about the school's progress. A list of the various kinds of community assistance is displayed in the teachers' room, as can be seen in the picture above.

BLITAR: The SBM Grand Banana Harvest

At the same time as the grade 6 students graduation ceremony on 27 June 2006, SDN Satriyan 03, Kanigioro Subdistrict, Blitar held a Grand Banana Harvest. The program was opened by the Deputy Bupati of Blitar, who cut a bunch of bananas that was displayed in front of the podium.

Besides the Deputy Bupati The Head of the District Education Office was also present, accompanied by his senior staff, the Head of the Kanigoro Subdistrict Education Office, school supervisors and primary school principals (SD and MI) from the subdistrict, as well as other local officials, school committee and community members and the parents of grade 6 students.

The main activity in the program was to auction the bananas and the students' handicrafts. Some of the bananas auctioned had been planted by the students and others by parents and the school committee. The results of the auction are to be used to support activities at the school to raise the quality of education.

SD Satriyan 03 is not an MBE partner school, but has taken part in the dissemination of the innovations. Under the leadership of Ibu Winarti,S.Pd.,M.Si., the school has undertaken a number of initiatives to raise the quality of education.

Displays of students' work can be seen at various places both inside and outside the classroom. As another example, the students were confident enough to give a clear recitation in front of officials from the district government.

MALANG: Dissemination to the Madrasahs

The approaches to training that have been popularized by MBE in Malang district have been widely used. The Madrasah schools working group (KKM) from MTsN Kepanjen organized dissemination training on 18 - 20 September 2006, in which 89 teachers from private and public MTs from the Kepanjen area took part.

On reading the participants' reflections, it is apparent that they feel that this kind of training is very effective. The process is challenging and enjoyable and needs to be followed up by further training. This is especially so because many madrasahs, especially the private ones, have been left behind in their development and have missed educational innovations.

The training included analysis and discussion about the concept of PAKEM and on the third day there was teaching practice.

In the picture above P. Sahra'i, a participant from MTs An Nur Bululawang is doing teaching practice with the students of MTsN Kepanjen, "By using PAKEM The students become enthusiastic to learn, and understand the material without a teacher having to explain so much," he commented.

MALANG: Visit by Parliament and District Leaders

The reputation of MBE with its SBM, Community Participation and PAKEM program attracted the attention of Komisi (committee) B of the local parliament in Malang district, together with a group of leaders from Pakisaji Subdistrict, who visited MBE partner schools.

In general members of the parliament were pleased with the situation in the classes and with the lessons they saw at SDN 1 and MI An Nur Wadung. Both the schools, which are situated in a rural area showed the dynamism and enthusiasm normally seen only in urban schools.