Exhibition and Seminar at MoNE

The Ministry of National Education (MoNE) organized an education seminar and exhibition at the Ministry in Jakarta on 22-23 May 2006. The event was attended by about 50 representatives from education offices in various provinces and 26 international agencies which are running basic education programs.

The Secretary to the Director General of Primary and Secondary Education, Bpk Bambang Indriyanto opened the seminar on the theme of School Based Management (SBM). Two USAID education projects, Managing Basic Education (MBE) and Decentralized Basic Education (DBE) took part in these activities.

Ibu Kresni Wiyati, from SD 2 Wonokriyo, Kebumen (photo 3) and Ibu Sri Sumarti from SD Tangkil 1, Blitar, supported by Bpk Asari, MBE Coordinator for East Java, presented their experiences in developing School Based Management (SBM) programs, including teaching using active learning (PAKEM), involving parents, the local community and local businesses.

In the education exhibition the MBE partner districts made displays about teaching and management (photo 1). Donors, representatives of other projects and educationists from Jakarta were very interested in the MBE stand and this led to many questions and discussions.

After Bpk Fasli Jalal, the Director General for Quality and Education Manpower (photo 2), had visited the stand, looked at the students work and had discussions with consultants and facilitators, he showed his appreciation by writing "impressive" together with his signature on the work of Ambar, a grade 1 student from SD Bremi 1, Probolinggo (photo 4).

In the meantime Bpk Arief Rahman, a commentator on education, wrote his comments in a Big Book made by Ibu Wening Sri Peni, a teacher from SD Tangkil 1, Blitar.

US Ambassador Visits Aceh School

MBE and DBE are working together in 40 schools in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar districts. Memoranda of Understanding between DBE, MBE and the local governments of Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar were signed on 22 May at MIN Rukoh, Banda Aceh. You can read more about MIN Rukoh on Page 4.

On 22 July B. Lynn Pascoe, the US Ambassador to Indonesia accompanied by Bill Frej, the Director of USAID Indonesia, visited another of the partner schools, SD 69 Banda Aceh. They were very impressed by the changes that have occurred at SD 69 in the short period of assistance from MBE and DBE.