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News from the Provinces
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Page 19
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Overcoming Limitations Through Innovation
LIMITED school facilities have not discouraged Dra. Siti Nasrah, Principal of SMP YP PGRI Makassar, in her innovation. She has been consistently applying the DBE3 programs since her school became a DBE3 partner in 2008. 'There have been positive changes in our school as a result of DBE3 mentoring. We are now comfortable in using teaching and learning methods that challenge students to solve problems in a group. Students are more active and their achievements are better. It motivates us to keep innovating, despite our limitations," said Ms Nasrah.
This school uses the same building as two other schools. In the morning the building is used by SMP YP PGRI Makassar. In the afternoon the building is used by SMP PGRI 3 Makassar and SMA PGRI Makassar. SMP YP PGRI Makassar consists of 12 large classes. "The average number of student in each class is 47. To create more space for student learning, we use U-shaped setting in the classroom. This has been effective in giving students access to active learning," she added.
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Encouraging creativity in students is part of learning across all subjects
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Joint usage of the classrooms creates a different challenge in applying the DBE3 methods. Often, students' work that has been displayed in the classroom has gone missing or been broken. But that only motivates teachers and students to keep creating. Openness is part of the characteristics of this school, which was appointed a model school by Bank Indonesia, in implementing savings programs.
Even with 95% teachers working on for honoraria, active learning in this school is implemented effectively. "The improvement of quality and welfare and providing learning facilities have been our priorities. The school is also trying to support teachers by providing them with laptops. We provide them with no-interest loans which they can use to buy laptops," said Ms Nasrah.
Teachers are encouraged to research for information through the school internet network. "I hope that teachers can access up-to-date information and integrate ICT into learning." The community's confidence in the school is relatively high. Even with its private status, this school has unfortunately to turn down many new students' applications each year. Ms Nasrah also said, "We are committed to improving our quality and we are always open to positive change."
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The followings are some example of the changes:
- Facilitating all teachers to participate in DBE3 training
- Making quality improvement, teacher's welfare, and teaching and learning needs as a priority in the school
budget.
- Actively cooperating with other institutions such as the District Library in the Teacher and Student Reading Program, and Bank Indonesia in the extracurricular savings program.
- Setting a 'reading hour program' that makes use of the library collection and is run by one of the teachers
- Providing all teachers with laptops through the nointerest loan program.
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All classrooms are set up to facilitate cooperative learning. All teachers encourage students to implement active learning
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Sharing Innovation in Junior Secondary Education
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Edition 11 / September 2011
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