SEMARANG: MBE Full of Meaning for Our School

It does not feel as if a school, SD Mlilir 2, Amberawa has already been in the MBE program for almost twenty months. We have spent the time working hard to make changes. Starting from the trust which was placed in us as an MBE partner school, we have never stopped learning. We have tried to apply the pattern of SBM, Community Participation and PAKEM developed under MBE.

The growing enthusiasm of the community really took off when the school sent representatives of the school committee to the first round of SBM and Community Participation training organized by MBE. When they returned from the training they realized the importance of the committee and of community participation.

Following up on this the school held a parents' meeting, to which they also invited the Head of the Subdistrict Education Office and a representative of MBE. On that day the parents group was formed. At the start the group did not know what they were going to do. Then they drew up a program of activities including a schedule of parents to help the teachers in class each day.

One idea from the school principal which was well received by the community was for parents to make regular contributions of Rp.500.- per week or Rp.100.- per day per student. Using this money the school has already built a covered learning area measuring 7m x 20m, a small science laboratory and a garden, as well as being able to pave the rear playground.

Everyone involved in the school, the principal, teachers, students, committee and parents group continue to make effort to increase their knowledge and experience. If we ask them about MBE they will answer:

Teacher: "I am proud and more self-confident. I can really help the students and we teachers visit each others' classrooms. When we receive visitors we are prepared and no longer confused."

Community: "Certainly proud, even though the school is in a village among rice fields we get lots of visits from the officials and even from Mr. Stuart and Ms. Lynne. We understand now how difficult it is to teach and we pay much more attention to our children when they're at home."

Student: "We enjoy learning much more and we're more active and not bored. We are proud that our work is displayed in the classroom and other schools have asked to borrow it."

As school principal, I am very grateful that, whereas before I was embarrassed when there were visitors in the school, now we are pleased to receive them. I have also had the honor of twice joining more experienced facilitators from Pati in giving training in Nias.

I have also had the honor of twice joining more experienced facilitators from Pati in giving training in Nias. We were also entrusted with receiving the MBE evaluation team, which visited us on 31 January 2007.

By Elmi Yahyi, school principal, SDN Mlilir 2 Ambarawa

School in the Forest with Metropolitan Level of Achievement

There are several achievements to be celebrated in partner schools as a result of the MBE program in Semarang district. The MBE schools have been much heard of in other subdistricts and even other districts.

As an example of this on 13 December 2006 one of the largest daily newspapers in Central Java, 'Suara Merdeka' published an article about a school on the edge of the rubber plantation, which is one of the MBE partner schools. The school was SDN Wonorejo 2 in Pringapus subdistrict.

Following this report people from many areas wanted to find out about the teaching methods used in the school. On 15 February 2007 SDN Wonorejo 2 received a study visit from Grobogan district. During the visit they were very interested in the approaches adopted under MBE and even asked how their district could get assistance from MBE. Well done, SDN Wonorejo 2. Success!

PACITAN: SBM Birds Nests at SD 3 Tulakan

SDN 3 Tulakan, Pacitan is one of the MBE partner schools. Even though it is a long way from the town, the teaching is comparable with schools in the town. You could even say it's better!

As well as the MBE program this school has also been developing a life skills program, since it received a grant from the Broad Based Education (BBE) program in 2002. The school principal, teachers and committee are committed to developing excellence in making bird cages.

The school committee and craftsmen in the community welcomed this and immediately became working partners. Each month the children's work, which never amount to less than 25 bird cages using a variety of models, are ready to be marketed.

So what are the proceeds used for? Proceeds are used to buy colored cardboard which is used for displays of children's work and to support PAKEM teaching. The school committee is of the opinion that PAKEM very much supports these life skill activities. Menurut pendapat komite tentang PAKEM sangat menunjang dalam kegiatan life skill ini.

You are welcome to drop in at the school, especially if you need a bird cage.....!!!!