Today’s fast paced world has taken the 21st century generation to the next level of information where the role of technology has changed many aspects of social life. And education is no exception.
Teachers, experts, parents, government officials and others from various walks of life would agree that proper education is one way to nurture today’s generation toward becoming productive individual.
In the quest of the best education system, Indonesians start regarding an international education as important. Correspondingly, many parents have put high expectation on their children by sending them to international schools.
While many of these schools outdo each other in offering their learning approaches, High/Scope Institute Indonesia has taken whatever steps necessary to realize the character development needed for students to survive living in the 21st century digital era.
Assuring proper education was – and is somehow still – a major challenge in many schools in Indonesia. In spite of this, High/Scope Institute Indonesia has answered the complexity of the 21st century education realm which covers numerous aspects such as culture, economy, politics, health, society and IT fast development, just to name a few.
“The world we live in today requires highly resourceful people who can sort, analyze and utilize information to address the challenges we are all facing,” Antarina S.F. Amir, managing director of High/Scope Institute Indonesia, remarked.
Children’s mental, physical, social and emotional development are therefore incorporated into High/Scope’s interactive learning approach which is based on the ideas of Jean Piaget, a Swiss developmental psychologist who placed great importance on children education. He once declared that “only proper education is capable of saving our societies from possible collapse, whether violent or gradual.”
To implement an outcome based learning approach, High/Scope has applied Piaget’s philosophy into all aspects of schooling where children should be actively involved in their own learning to reach their full potential.
Developed in the United States in the 1960s, High/Scope curriculum has become a Comprehensive School Reform model throughout the United States. And the effectively proven curriculum programs have globally spread as there are High/Scope Institutes operating in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Mexico, South Africa, Singapore, South Korea and Indonesia.
Starting with the opening of preschool program in 1996, High/Scope Institute Indonesia is promoting High/Scope approach by opening more schools across the archipelago offering preschool, elementary, middle and high school programs for children aged 18 months to 18 years.
Having students come from distinct families and cultural backgrounds, and nestled at a safe and comfortable environment, High/Scope Institute Indonesia seeks to nurture international values to its students with more than just an academic excellence.
High/Scope emphasizes curriculum that develops students to become productive world citizen by balancing the development of their academic, interpersonal and intrapersonal skills.
“While promoting the use of technology for learning, contextual and real life are taught through project-based learning, workshop activities and interactive class programs; all of which are aimed at developing the students’ self-awareness, teamwork, problem solving, social development, critical and creative thinking,” Antarina explained, adding, “The curriculum also focuses on developing the students’ creativity, promoting open-mindedness and tolerance, as well as building strong character with spiritual intelligence.”
High/Scope believes that a school is a learning organization that involves not only students and teachers, but also everyone in everyday’s life including parents, community and government. The way students can create innovative ideas, express their aspirations, build their awareness and develop their capabilities by means of learning from one another.
High/Scope is aware that the role of teachers is very crucial in enhancing the quality of education at best. In line with this, High/Scope teachers treat children more as friends and partners. “Our teachers support students’ choices of activities, play with them on their level, focus on their strengths and encourage them to find solutions to their own problems. When conflicts arise between children, teachers help them discuss the situation rather than punishing or isolating them. Thus, conflicts are viewed as opportunities that help children develop social skills and become more aware of the impacts of their action on others,” she observed.
In inculcating its students aspirations and awareness toward achieving a success in life, High/Scope Institute Indonesia also adopts the three principles of Ki Hadjar Dewantoro – Ing Ngarso Sung Tulodo (in front teachers give examples), Ing Madyo Mangun Karso (in the middle teachers build up the spirit), and Tut Wuri Handayani (from behind teachers supervise).
Dewantoro is a pioneer who has positively changed the face of education in Indonesia. “His wise principles have inspired us in nurturing our students to become the member of High/Scope as an organization where everyone is determined to always seek knowledge throughout their life journeys,” Antarina concluded saying, “Education takes words to learn. And we have transformed the words into a practice that helps save our generation.”
This advertorial was published in The Jakarta Post on Nov. 11, 2010.
Photos courtesy of High/Scope Institute Indonesia
