News from Banyumas

MOU is Finally Signed

Many parties were asking questions about the status of MBE in Banyumas district. This is because before conducting the "Training for Trainers", the MOU which is the basis for cooperation was still not signed, however, on the 16 September all parties received their answer. Collaboration between RTI-MBE and Banyumas district for developing the Local Government's capacity to manage basic education with the assistance of the Managing Basic Education (MBE) model was formalized.

Mr Stuart Weston, the MBE Chief of Party attended the signing of the MOU, a mutual agreement between the MBE program and Banyumas district. The signing was conducted between School and Community Training sessions which were ongoing at the SMP Kebasen 3 Assembly Hall, which is one of the RTI-MBE target schools.

The ceremony went smoothly commencing with the singing of the national anthem 'Indonesia Raya'. The Assistant for Economy and Development, Mr Suyatno, S.Sos, represented the District Head (Bupati) of Banyumas who had to attend a meeting for the preparation for the election (photo above). At the same time Mr Suyatno formally opened the training program.

In a speech read by Mr Suyatno, the Bupati invited all parties to make the MBE program a success as the programs objective is to develop the capacity of the Local Government to better manage Basic Education in the region. We all hope that this joint cooperation will be effective and be implemented smoothly in accordance with the mutual agreement (MOU).

School and Community Training.

As a follow up to the 'Training of Trainers', which was held on the 20 - 26 August 2004 in Banyuwangi, School and Community Training was conducted in the target areas, i.e. 2 sub-districts in Banyumas. To make the training more effective and to optimize the training results, the training was divided into two stages using the same materials. The first stage of training was conducted in Ajibarang sub-district, and was held from 13 - 15 September 2004. The second stage was conducted at Kebasen sub-district from 16 - 18 September 2004.

The participants in the training included teachers, principals and the school committees from 10 target schools (6 SD, 1 MI, 1 MTs, and 2 SMP) in each sub-district. Besides the socialization of the MBE program, it is hoped that this training encourages the community/parents/school committee to be more involved in the learning and teaching processes in their schools. The community was informed directly about effective learning and teaching processes in schools.

The participants were seen to be enjoying all the various activities. Training was enjoyable, not monotonous, because the learning and teaching activities were conducted using MBE methods, in this case Active, Creative, Joyful and Effective learning (PAKEM). These activities simultaneously introduce the PAKEM system to the participants in the hope that they will implement this system in each individual school.

In PAKEM students are empowered and motivated to be creative, and capable of expressing their creativity. In order to provide a clearer picture to participants, time was allocated especially for demonstrating the PAKEM learning model, by inviting students from a nearby primary school. One of the facilitators demonstrated the teaching method in front of the participants. In the photo (below) Mr Sukamto is demonstrating teaching methods using

his own students who were invited to the training room, because coincidentally, his school is located at the back of the Ajibarang Sub-district Education Office (where the training was held).

When Will MBE Reach My School?

The question 'when will MBE reach my school' was asked by a teacher who had seen the MBE Program and has witnessed the results. He is Mr. Ikhsan a teacher from Karangtengah Primary School, Baturaden, Banyumas. What Bpk Ikhsan has seen is the early stages of the MBE program, after about 3 months.

Bpk Ikhsan visited Bentul Primary School, one of the MBE target schools. Observing the conditions and situation in the school and the teachers in that school, he immediately expressed his desire that his school should be like Bentul Primary School and hoped that MBE could assist his school also.

"How can I get assistance from MBE?' he asked. "I want our teachers to be like those here." It is important to know that Bentul Primary School teachers and Principal are a good example. Their enthusiasm is extraordinary, and their desire to develop their school is very praiseworthy.

Bpk Sukur Iskandar as the Principal did not view his position as being a superior, but he sees himself as being equal (at the same level) as all the teachers and staff in his school, acting as a friend, and together they work on developing the school.

At Kebasen Junior Secondary School (SMP) 3, since the school and community training, the role of the school committee has increased. The committee feel that they now are much more aware and understand better what they should be doing in the school. Several days after the training, the committee started to carry out their programs. According to the Principal the performance of the committee is much better now.

The programs that have been realized among others include digging a water-well, because SMP 3 has had difficulties with their water supply. With this water-well it is hoped that it will provide a clean water supply for the school.

At the front of the schoolyard you can already see the materials that will be used for constructing drainage channels at the front of the school. Until now drainage has been a problem every rainy season. Besides this they have also prepared a new path to the front of the school.

Neighboring land which previously could not be accessed is being prepared as a new entry point to the school. Our hopes are that all issues like those above can be resolved and the ongoing development of education in the region can be achieved by working together.

Ok, let's work together for the development of education in our schools.