Central Java

Changing to Develop Students’ Life Skills

AFTER launching the Whole School Approach program in early 2009, DBE3 conducted the training program, Better Teaching and Learning 2. The training involved 961 participants consisting of teachers, supervisors, and principals from the 50 DBE3 partner schools (SMP and Madrasah) in five districts in Central Java; Boyolali, Grobogan, Karanganyar, Kudus and Purworejo.

The training received a warm welcome from district governments. In Purworejo, for example, the Deputy District Head Drs. H. Mahsun Zain stated that DBE3 programs helped Purworejo district government a great deal in encouraging teachers to develop and adapt their capacity and skills to meet the demands of the complex era in which we live. The only way to develop their capacity is by participating in DBE3 programs.

The BTL2 training focuses on the development of two aspects of life skills; academic and social skills. In the case of academic skills participants learn problem solving and decision making, while in the case of social skills participants learned how to work cooperatively in a group.

through group discussions and group presentations. I feel that we become more active in the classroom and teachers pay more attention on us.” The training conducted by DBE3 also focuses on principals and supervisors. There are special sessions on capacity building for principals and school supervisors.

Through these sessions it is hoped that they will develop their skills in managing schools, supervising learning activities, and supporting the MGMPs (teachers’ networks) and MKKS-KKM (school principals’ networks). The school principal network in Boyolali is planning to replicate BTL2 training especially for principals.

“School principals need to receive training in innovative and creative learning. We need that because we want to ensure that creative and innovative learning takes place in our classrooms,” commented Syamsudin, S.Pd, chairman of the school principals’ network in Boyolali.

For four days participants were trained to implement contextual learning by encouraging students to be active and creative, use a high level of logical thinking, work in a team and use learning resources from their environment. “This four-day training really enlightened and motivated me to be a more professional teacher. The training encouraged me to use cooperative learning methods in my lessons, “said Nasrifah, S.Pd, a teacher at MTs Miftahul Ulum Jati Kudus.

Based an evaluation of contextual learning with students, the level of student satisfaction was surprisingly high. They even found Mathematics enjoyable and interesting to learn. Agus Prakosa, a student at SMPN 3 Karanganyar said, “I like this new way of learning and getting new ideas