Education
Objective: Improving the Quality of Basic Education
Program Description
The Challenge
- At least 30% of teachers lack appropriate training; only 40% of children who enroll in primary school complete 9 years of basic education
- Local governments are poorly prepared to manage the recently decentralized education systems
- Public funding for education is among the lowest in the region
The Goal
- Support a decentralized effort for quality and relevant education
- Encourage the Indonesian government to increase its investment in education
- Support Indonesia’s democratic transition
- Expand an educated workforce that will promote international investment and stability
A Transformation in Teaching
Under President Bush’s U.S. $157 million Indonesia Education Initiative on improving basic education, USAID is assisting Indonesia to transform the classroom experience into one of energy and inquiry. Colorful displays of student’s work and creative teaching material accompany an enthusiastic and inquisitive learning process, where students support each other in small groups and teachers move about the classroom assisting them.
Since 2003, more than 1,500 primary and junior secondary schools – secular and religious, public and private – in eight provinces, have eagerly participated in the six-year initiative. About 24,000 educators have been trained to improve the quality of teaching and learning. More than 400,000 students are reaping the benefits: they are enjoying school and doing better in math, science and reading. The program is expected to reach 9,000 schools by 2010, and local school districts have replicated the program to the benefit of another 650,000 students.
Parents are taking a more active role in the education of their children in part because school management is more transparent and accountable. More than a thousand schools have completed new development plans based on community input. This fosters fruitful community involvement; all for the betterment of the learning community.
USAID has expanded the Indonesia Education Initiative to post-tsunami and post-conflict Aceh, reflecting the U.S. Government’s long-term commitment to the region.
Programs:
DECENTRALIZED BASIC EDUCATION (DBE)
As the main component of the President Bush’s Indonesia Education Initiative, the Decentralized Basic Education Project focuses on improving the quality and relevance of basic education in primary and junior secondary schools. Through technical assistance and training, the program has three goals: to assist local governments and communities to manage education services more effectively; to enhance teaching and learning to improve student performance in key subjects such as math, science and reading; and to ensure that Indonesia’s youth gain more relevant life and work skills to better compete for jobs in the modern economy.
USAID successfully utilizes public-private alliances to mobilize corporate sector resources for education. In partnership with BP, USAID is improving basic education in Papua. ConocoPhillips is helping rehabilitate schools damaged by the May 2006 earthquake in Yogyakarta and Intel is helping teachers use technology in their classrooms. Partnerships with three U.S. universities – the University of Pittsburg, Florida State University, and the University of Massachusetts – and 14 Indonesian universities, are enabling teachers participating in the program to receive academic credit for their work, helping them meet new Government of Indonesia recertification requirements. DBE also promotes the use of information technology for education; the importance of early childhood education; in-service teacher training and non-formal work and life skills.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN
This program promotes inclusive education in Indonesia by helping prepare children with special needs – including visual and hearing impairments, learning disabilities, autism, and multiple disabilities – to be educated in public schools. Replicable models are being developed to expand the reach of the program to Aceh, South Sulawesi and Central Java.
SESAME STREET INDONESIA / JALAN SESAMA
In partnership with the Sesame Workshop, USAID is supporting the development of a new Indonesian co-production of the renowned Sesame Street television show. Indonesia’s “Jalan Sesama” is one of the largest partnerships between USAID and the Sesame Workshop. By watching “Jalan Sesama” millions of Indonesian children will be better equipped to start and stay in school. The first season is scheduled to air in November 2007.
HIGHER EDUCATION
The Indonesia Education Initiative, run by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy, complements USAID’s Basic Education Programs with a range of educational scholarships and exchanges, and English language learning opportunities. A partnership with the University of Kentucky is assisting three Indonesian Universities to upgrade their academic programs in areas critical for economic growth such as engineering, agriculture and education. A three-way partnership between USAID, the Government of Aceh Province and Chevron supports the development of the Aceh Polytechnic, a new institution to provide quality education in applied technology fields such as information technology and electrical engineering that are in high demand in the region