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SMP Negeri 4 Tanjungbalai
Implementing Leadership
Two years ago, Ahli Edison, S.Pd started his career as principal of SMP Negeri 4 Tanjungbalai. The conditions in the school at that time were quite difficult. People called the school ‘Texas’. To pak Edison, the ‘Texas’ label was a challenge. Soon after being appointed, pak Edison showed his leadership. With his belief in his-own-style of management, he started his big mission to raise the quality of the school.
Pak Edison believes that changes can only happen when there is an agreement among stakeholders. From the start he chose a participative model. He did not start his mission by giving orders. Instead, he gathered all stakeholders (teachers, staff, school committee and community) and presented his mission. He told them that he wanted this to become their joint mission.
Pak Edison continued his effort to improve the school by making visible physical changes. The physical facilities which were in a bad state were repaired one by one. The school yard, which used to be like a junk yard, was cleared up and planted with grass. Now it is green all over.
Pak Edison also treats his students differently. Every morning he greets the students at the school gate. He shakes each student’s hand. He said he feels he should do this. “Because their parents have sent them off from home. Now we have to welcome them to the school,” explained pak Edison.
When the physical changes were visible, pak Edison continued by improving the quality of learning. He chose DBE3 active learning. He made changes in grades 7 and 8: students sit in small groups. He encouraged his teachers to use active learning. “Next semester we will apply active learning with grade 9 students as well,” said pak Edison.
To ensure transparency, pak Edison makes use of an information board, in which people can get up to date information about the school. When he is out of school, pak Edison always writes it down on the information board.
As a new partner of DBE3, SMPN 4 Tanjungbalai is serious in implementing the results of DBE3 training. Though the school still lacks ICT facilities, that doesn’t stop the teachers doing active learning. Pak Edison encourages his teachers to keep developing, because ‘I am in charged with managing the school as best I can.’
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- Students reading a newspaper during the break in the library
- A DBE3 district facilitator, who is also an English teacher, is implementing active learning in her classroom.
- School provides facilities for hand washing. This is a part of school effort to promote personal hygiene
- Every student who leaves the classroom for any purpose has to wear a pass. In this way students are taught discipline.
- Two students enjoying reading books in the school library
- The school looks clean and neat.
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