Provincial News

Page 14 

To involve local government to participate in program replication, DBE3 South Sulawesi held a series of meeting with certain decision makers namely Bupati (Head of District), Sekda, and the Head of Bappeda. These meetings were held between December 10-12, 2008 in nine target districts i.e. Pangkep, Sidrap, Pinrang, Jeneponto, Soppeng, Luwu, Palopo, Enrekang, and Makassar.

In general, the meetings were very effective and productive. All districts showed their interests in working together with DBE3 in replicating and improving the education quality. The district government of Pangkep -

stated that they would fund sme DBE3 teacher training programs. In Sidrap, the government was willing to provide 10% of the DBE3 operational budget and in Pinrang the government said that they would share the budget to replicate DBE3 programs.

As for other districts, though they haven’t came up with the exact plans, it was clear that they were willing to work together with DBE3 team.

The collaboration with local government was a part of efforts done by DBE3 South Sulawesi to ensure program’s sustainibility.

Sekda Pinrang, Drs. Ruslan, M.Sc, preparing the draft of document stating government’s interest in supporting DBE3 programs.

Following the USAID-DBE Road Show in Pangkep, South Sulawesi, the USAID team continued to Jeneponto on November 5 to see the implementation of DBE. Among the schools visited was MTsN Binamu Jeneponto which is a partner school of DBE3. USAID spent time observing lessons and had discussions with teachers and the principal.

According to one of the teachers, Nuraeda, the school is now using the drop-out prevention toolkit to support the counseling program. The result is good as teachers involve students in addressing

drop-out problems. In further discussions, the school principal asked USAID to help provide IT equipment and an Internet connection.

To help students to develop their vocational skills, MTsN Binamu has provided a fish pond which is used by students to breed fresh water fish. The students living in the school dormitory earn money from this activity. USAID official Phillip Tjakranata expressed his appreciation of this initiative, hoping that it can be developed into something more profitable.

Phillip Tjakranata (USAID) having discussion with H.Madjid (Principal) and Irfan (teacher) of MTsN Binamu Jeneponto on the school visit.

No man can be a good teacher unless he has feelings of warm affection toward his pupils and a genuine desire to impart to them what he himself believes to be of value.

Bertrand Russell