PAKEM Training Spreading All Over

Since Madiun was chosen as a MBE target area and conducted its first PAKEM training in December 2004, many non-target schools have been inspired to know more about PAKEM methods. Schools think that PAKEM methods will help if 2004 curriculum (KBK) is implemented soon. Clusters that have received PAKEM training include Cluster A and B, Manguharjo sub-district, Cluster A and B, Taman sub-district and Cluster A, Kartoharjo sub-district.

Photo below: Head of Madiun Education and Culture Office, Bpk Drs. H. Maidi, SH, MM, M.Pd. during the opening of PAKEM training for all teachers of SMPN 6 Madiun (a target school) working together on this occasion with SMPN 14 Madiun (a non-target school).

Photo right:
Activities at the PAKEM training of Cluster A Kartoharjo sub-district. On that occasion, we chose a teacher from a target school that has received PAKEM training to give a model lesson. This had a positive effect because it encouraged other teachers to quickly change their learning methods.

Even the Teachers' Room has to be PAKEM

The main obstacle in implementing PAKEM methods is teacher understanding of all the very diverse material. Where a teacher has creative tendencies and has enough understanding of their subject, then PAKEM is easily implemented. In order to solve this problem at SMPN 6 Madiun district, the teachers' room was grouped according to subjects to look like a classroom, so whenever there is spare time or teachers are experiencing difficulties it is easier for them to discuss the issues with their friends.

Photo below: SMPN 6 teachers seen during their break time. Discussion amongst the subject teachers is easier because the teachers sit in groups like a class.

Trying Integrated Learning

When integrated learning was first launched, many teachers said that it was difficult to implement. By employing simpler explanations and modeling sample lessons they realized that integrated learning is important because it makes learning less abstract. Students will more easily relate knowledge with the environment. In the picture on the right you can see students in grade 4 at SDN 01 Taman Kota Madiun during cooking practice. In this lesson they related the cooking to social science - the market - and maths in which they had to compute profit / loss as a percentage. They also included the subjects of handicraft and health in the lesson.

Involving the Community in Learning

Photo below shows a lesson on traffic regulations at the school complex of SDN 03, 06, 08 Madiun Lor, Madiun. Assisted by one of the parents the students received a visit from a policeman to their classroom.

The learning was more interesting because the students could practice traffic signs directly and get explanations from an expert.

Study Visit From Nganjuk Local Government

On 30 March 2005, the Madiun Education and Culture Office was visited by local government officers from Nganjuk district, which included the Education and Culture office, representatives of the Madrasah Principals Association, the Education Council and BAPPEDA. The visitors were taken directly to MBE target schools including SMPN 6, SMPN 11, SDN 05 Manisrejo, SDN 03 Kanigoro, and SDN 03 Madiun Lor. The visitors immediately identified the changes that had taken place since receiving assistance from MBE and they also engaged in dialogue directly with the principals.

Photo above: One of the visitors from the Nganjuk Education Office (Bpk Budi) observing a class at SDN 05 Manisrejo. He said they were very impressed and wanted to learn more so that the education sector in Nganjuk could develop in the same way.