A Creative Teacher
People say, life would be meaningless without a dream. Life would become less meaningful without purpose and high motivation. Likewise in doing things, addressing problems, and then solving them. Immersing ourselves in the things we like for example, is one way of loving and being dedicated. Including in the work we do on a daily basis. Whatever we do out there, doing them with heart is one of the keys to achieving our highest goals. The question then is, how much of our hearts do we give?
Continuing on my writing on the young educators of Indonesia Teaches in my previous post, this time I would like to direct your attention to one of the country’s best teachers: Agus Sampurno.
Why is such a figure, one who teaches daily at a primary school in Jakarta, interesting? Read more
Posted: 2nd May 2012
The Good Times Will Not Continue If We Do Not Become Competitive
Political reforms after the New Order provided for an environment more conducive to doing business and foreign investment. The rise of the middle class in emerging markets – especially China and India — provided tremendous demand for our agricultural and mineral resources. And now, as the disposable income of our own people rises, private consumption in this country provides for further fodder for the productive side of our economy. I am therefore bullish on Indonesia’s continued growth prospects for the near term.
Nonetheless, there is still a lot that we have to improve on … for example: continued political reform & de-bureaucratization, providing the necessary infrastructure to support supply chains and keep pace with the opportunities, human resource development to fill competency gaps, etc., etc..
Read more
Posted: 19th March 2012
Comments: 7
“Indonesia Mengajar”: Contributing Towards Education in Indonesia
I have always believed that anyone can make a positive contribution to our country’s development by embracing change. Anywhere and at any point of time, regardless of age, gender, or socio-economic status. Each of us has the same potential and opportunity to make a contribution in the form of ideas, thoughts, and/or through financial participation. AND for me, the most important factor to instilling change for Indonesia’s development is education.
One of the education initiatives, amongst others, that have caught my eye is Anies Baswedan’s “Indonesia Mengajar”, which he started some time in 2009. It is gratifying to see so many of our young people taking on the challenge of becoming Pengajar Muda (Young Teachers): that is, those individuals who actively go down to the grass-root levels of our society in order to make a real impact in improving our education sector. Read more
Posted: 5th March 2012
Comments: 6
Allow for Private Education Initiatives
Education is traditionally valued as a social good. Yet, the economic necessity in expanding higher education in the developing world makes it essential for every one of us to re-think the current practice.
Down through recorded history the private sector has driven economic growth through innovation, which in turn, drives human and social progress — from the industrial revolution to the IT revolution.
I invite policy makers and opinion leaders in Indonesia to review the following article from the Harvard Business Review regarding the value that (supplementary) private education initiatives can bring to emerging nations. The article demonstrates the direct correlation between investment in higher education and economic growth and subsequently for social progress. Emerging economies however require increasing government investment in infrastructure and civic and social services – these stretch the budget available for education. The private sector can bridge the gap, increase educational opportunities while creating the skilled workforce needed to keep pace with growth.
Posted: 22nd February 2012
Comments: 4