Education in Indragiri
| Ministry of Education | |
|---|---|
| Minister Deputy Minister | Abdul Muthalib Ächmäd Nurróddžy |
| General details | |
| Primary languages | Giri Indra |
| System type | Central |
| Literacy (2015) | |
| Total | 99 % |
| Male | 99 % |
| Female | 99 % |
| Enrollment | |
| Total | 11.3 million |
| Primary | 4.1 million |
| Secondary | 4.0 million |
| Post secondary | 3.2 million |
| Attainment | |
| Secondary diploma | 89.7% |
| Post-secondary diploma | 59% |
The education system in Indragiri is highly centralized, although the central government allows subdivisions to produce and add to the current mandatory curricula mandated by the ministry of education. The education system is divided into four groups: elementary (Pendidikan Dasar), secondary (Pendidikan Menengah), upper (Pendidikan Atas) and higher education (Pendidikan lanjutan). Higher education is the equivalent of universities or colleges abroad. The two republics plus the capital special region each get to decide two additional subjects to include in the regional-modified curriculum which caters to the different needs of different pupils in different places. Until only recently, all schools were government owned and funded, which makes all teachers in Indragiri a civil employee. Education is mandatory for 12 years and is free for all students.
The education system of Indragiri is one of the best in Aeia, with students ranking first or somewhere in between the top five in international rankings. A lot of emphasis is put into education in Indragiri, as social norms and a move to veer away from the nation's horrific past support a strong basis to propel pupils into achieving excellence in Education. Education takes up around 23% of the national budget, which is a huge amount. Albeit, classrooms are designed to fulfill the needs of the student, and in 2012, a bill was passed to standardize classroom quality in Indragiri to prevent an inequality among schools. As of 2016, classrooms in Indragiri were some of the best in Aeia thanks to a massive renovation project that started a year after the passing of the bill.
The main language of instruction differs in between republics, with the Giri Federative Republic opting for the Giri Language, while the Indra Federative Republic opting for Indra. Foreign languages is a mandatory subject in most schools, and english is becoming a popular language in schools, although students rarely use the language in everyday life.
Upon completion of upper education (secondary education), students may wish to go to a university, both public or private, to earn a bachelor's degree (Sarjana) after completing 4-5 years of education. There are also private institutions dedicated to specific areas of knowledge, including arts, music, engineering, forestry and tax. Post-graduate studies are available to those who wish to continue their education in such universities or institutes. A master's degree (Magister) and a doctoral degree (Doktor) are available in most universities and institutions in Indragiri, and there has been an ever increasing trend for these degrees. More and more students are able to afford going to universities, and has led to the university population almost tripling in the last decade or so.
History
Education in Indragiri was first formalized and centralized in 1950 with the passing of the common and universal education bill. The aim was to improve literacy and knowledge among the common people and reduce illiteracy among the people. This was easier said than done as the early institutions of the current education system of Indragiri suffered massive shortcomings of funds and manpower to sustain a well performing institution. Lots of students dropped out due to the lack of funds needed to complete an education and due to the lack of professionals required to fill an institution. In 1962, Indragiri's education system was ranked one of the worst, if not the worst, when aligned and compared with other Aeian nations. Schools consisted of Elementary school (Sekolah Dasar), Continued Elementary school (Sekolah Lanjtuan Tingkat Pertama) and Public High School (Sekolah Umum Atas).
In 1973, a massive reform was done to the education system, which saw the replacement of the Continued Elementary school with the secondary school (Sekolah Menengah). The education budget was raised by 127%, which saw taxes rise by 4%. For the first time, schools in Indragiri were capable of teaching more students than they were originally designed. The literacy rate soon followed a steep increase, from 35% in 1974 to almost 78% in 1985. Government schools to eradicate illiteracy were also built, usually in the rural countryside where farmers and rural peoples would have no time to go to a formal institution. Although improved, the education system in Indragiri still lagged behind other nations, which initiated the government, more specifically the Ministry of Education to launch a "great 15 years" program in 1989.
The project went into full swing by early 1990, increasing again the capabilities, qualities and infrastructure of the education system of Indragiri. More classes and teachers were hired, trained and built to accommodate a booming population of the early 2000s. The quality of education was looking more and more like a developed nation, and students began showing their capabilities in a worldwide scale, improving the reputation of the education system in Indragiri by a whole lot. World renowned institutions began opening their doors in Indragiri in cooperation with the government to provide a better and higher quality of education than the public schools with an added tuition.
By 2005, the great 15 years program had been completed with the education system being massively expanded and improved, producing one of the most complicated and sophisticated education systems in Aeia. Although so, students are faced with high depression and stress levels due to the difficulty and high expectations of society on these students. The curriculum of Indragiri forces students to learn more advanced materials compared to other nations, which makes passing school in Indragiri a very tough thing to do. School drop out rates have been rising in the past years thanks to the new 2015 curriculum. To combat this, the MoE has instructed schools to provide free and high quality assisting videos to help students study by themselves in the comfort of their own homes. As of 2017, the Indragiri education system is one of the best in the world, with students regularly ranking first or between the top five in international standardized testing.
Statistics
It is reported that in 2017 that there are 11.3 students in Indragiri spanning from primary education to post secondary education. Of these, 98% are considered fit for their age (enrolled on or above their grade level). Only 30,500 out of 4.1 million students attend private schools.
Indragiri has a near 100% literacy rate for both males and females. 90% of the Indragirian population have completed upper school (high school) and more than half have attained a bachelor's degree. The average salary for bachelors is Rp. 39,500, significantly higher than an upper school's average of only Rp. 14,800. The unemployment rate for upper school graduates is 4.8% in 2016, compared to 1.3% for bachelors. The average salary for masters is Rp. 62,000 in 2015, over twice the national average.
Indragiri fares well when compared to other nations, with students ranking among the top three or five in internationally sponsored maths, sciences and reading tests, which is significantly higher than most developed nations.
Budget
The government has allotted Rp. 135 billion in the education system and the ministry of education as a whole. When compared to other national budgets, Indragiri's expenditure on education is pretty high, even by developed standards. Most of these funds goes to maintain existing schools rather than to build new schools, although there have been several plans by the ministry of education to build new schools throughout the isolated Seketan Islands, in which schools are overcapacity.
Most schools rely on either the government or private funding from parents of students or from charity donations. Indragiri spends more money per student than any other nation in Yidao, and sometimes, relying solely on funds from the government isn't enough to cope with the ongoing trend of improving school and instructor quality. The ministry of education spends on average of Rp. 6500 per student per year, covering facility, instructor and maintenance charges. This number is expected to increase with the growth of the Indragirian economy and more money coming in from taxes.
The budget is split into four main groups, pre-primary and primary funds, secondary and upper funds, tertiary funds and non-formal institutions. Pre-primary and primary funds are directed towards the functionality and maintenance of kindergartens, preschools and elementary schools. It is also tasked to assist poorer children to keep going to school despite their economic standing. The same is true for secondary and upper funds, although these funds are mainly directed towards secondary, preparatory, upper, upper preparatory and vocational schools. Tertiary funds help universities, colleges, institutions and other tertiary institutions function well, and to help potential students who have ability, but aren't able to attend such schools due to a lack of funds. The final funds are for non-formal government institutions, such as a nature school or boy scout's camp. Non-formal government institutions are supposed to be supplementary to the formal education system, and courses offered in such schools may not be available in a traditional school.
International schools in special economic zones are excluded from funds given by the ministry of education, hence why they cost more.
School Grades
The school year is divided into two semesters. The first begins in the beginning of January and ending in May; the second begins in July and ends in November. After completing elementary school, students are able to choose from regular secondary schools or preparatory schools which focuses on more specified lessons (math, physics, social sciences, etc.). Upon completing middle school or equivalent, students of preparatory schools may continue to an upper preparatory school, a vocational school or an upper school, although most continue to an upper preparatory school. Students who graduate middle school may choose to go to an upper school or a vocational school or an upper preparatory school, but few do due to the more advanced material given.
While not mandatory, most students enter universities after completing upper school.
| Level/Grade | Typical Age | Level/Grade | Typical Age | Level/Grade | Typical Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool | Early Child Development | ||||
| Pre-school playgroup | 3–4 | Stage 1 | 2-3 | ||
| Kindergarten | 4-6 | Stage 2 | 3-4 | ||
| Stage 3 | 4-5 | ||||
| Stage 4 | 5-6 | ||||
| Elementary school (Children enter Elementary in the year they turn 7). | |||||
| First grade (Kelas satu) | 6–7 | ||||
| Second grade (Kelas dua) | 7–8 | ||||
| Third grade (Kelas tiga) | 8–9 | ||||
| Fourth grade (Kelas empat) | 9–10 | ||||
| Fifth grade Kelas lima) | 10–11 | ||||
| Sixth grade (Kelas enam) | 11–12 | ||||
| Secondary school | Preparatory School | ||||
| Seventh Grade (Kelas tujuh) | 12–13 | Preparatory first grade (Khusus satu) | 12-13 | ||
| Eigth Grade (Kelas delapan) | 13–14 | Preparatory second grade (Khusus dua) | 13-14 | ||
| Ninth Grade (Kelas sembilan) | 14–15 | Preparatory third grade (Khusus tiga) | 14-15 | ||
| Prepatory fourth grade (Khusus empat) | 15-16 | ||||
| Upper school | Vocational School | Upper Preparatory School | |||
| Tenth grade (Kelas sepuluh) | 15-16 | First vocational (Kejuruan satu) | 15-16 | Upper preparatory first (Khusus atas satu) | 16-17 |
| Eleventh grade (Kelas sebelas) | 16-17 | Second vocational (Kejuruan dua) | 16-17 | Upper preparatory second (Khusus atas dua | 17-18 |
| Twelfth grade (Kelas duabelas) | 17-18 | Third vocational (Kejuruan tiga) | 17-18 | Upper preparatory third (Khusus atas tiga | 18-19 |
| Fourth vocational (Kejuruan empat) | 18-19 | ||||
| Post-Secondary Education | |||||
| Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees | Ages vary | ||||
Curriculum
As of 2017, all schools in Indragiri operate under the new and revised 2015 curriculum designed by the Ministry of Education. It was originally designed to replace the old 2006 curriculum which had numerous flaws and a lack of challenging topics. The new curriculum added an extra strain on the ministry of education's budget after mandating several reforms, added lessons, material and an improvement of school quality, regulation and facilities. The new curriculum also focuses on character-building and attitude rather than actual grades. A senior official at the ministry of education has said that the new curriculum is emphasizing on character-building to curtail the negative effects of globalization in Indragiri.
The government forbids curricula from other nations to be implemented in Indragiri, however, in special economic and free zones scattered in big cities in Indragiri have been allowed to import curricula from abroad. International schools have been popping up recently in these free zones due to the deregulation of curriculums in special economic zones in 2013. The government also forbids foreign school to operate under an Indragirian curriculum, unless that school is owned by an Indragirian national or institution that has been registered in the national database for education. As of 2017, at least 5 schools exist within the country that does not use the national curriculum. Many experts predict that this number will increase in the near future with the globalization of Aeia going on in a much faster rate than most experts predict.
International curricula are subject to surveillance under the ministry of education's foreign curricula and programs branch, and its license to operate on Indragirian land could be withdrawn if changes to the curriculum are made to become unsuitable for Indragiri. Some curricula that are prohibited by Indragiri contain same-sex education and no religious education, something prohibited by the ministry of education. There have been several reports of international schools allowing same-sex couples studying in such schools, although no concrete evidence is available to back up these claims. Indragirian law prohibits same-sex marriages and activities, and the state does not provide for any facilities that same-sex couples might need.
2006 Curriculum
Shortly after the fall of socialism in Indragiri, schools throughout the nation rushed to amend the 1997 curriculum as the old curriculum contained several contents that were inappropriate or seemed out of date for the new democratic Indragiri. The teaching of socialism in schools was quickly erased from each school's agenda. Textbooks were sent back to the ministry of education to be recycled and to be printed into other books that may be useful to students in the nation. For a period of time, each school had its own modified version of the 1997 curriculum, and fitted in all sorts of subjects that the school deemed fit and worthy to teach to the students. However, this created a problem of its own as students from different schools will be taught different subjects.
Combating the issue was not easy and cheap. A team of retired teachers, professors and education analysts were brought in by the federal government to end the varied and messy curricula that each school had. A curriculum was designed to be used in Indragiri for the standardization of teaching material, subjects and quality of schools in the nation. The curriculum was first designed in late 2005, but only got to be approved by the ministry of education and the government in mid 2006. The team emphasized on the building of high-order thinking skills and the applicability of subjects taught in school in the real life.
The 2006 curriculum contained curricula starting from preschool all the way to upper secondary education. Surprisingly, not a single foreign language was fit in the 2006 curriculum. Foreign languages were only added in specialization classes in preparatory schools, which would mean that Indragiri as a whole nation is doing very poorly in foreign language education. Some scholars argue that the main reason for the exclusion of foreign language in the 2006 curriculum had to do with the decades of isolation and general suspicion on the outside world by former leader Sumartono Sastrowidyatmo. The stance taken by Indragiri during Sumartono Sastrowidyatmo's time in office was born out of Sumartono Sastrowidyatmo's hate of nations in the richer part of the world colonizing and using weaker nations to make them even richer. To prevent Indragiri from ever falling into other nations' hands, he outlawed the teaching of any language except native Indragirian languages.
The minimum standard for all subjects was 7.5 out of 10.
Grading System
During the 2006 curriculum, a number of grading systems were put into place by different schools and institutions as allowed by the curriculum. A famous system was the 4 Letters 4 Numbers system, invented by the Ambarawa Higher Technological Preparatory Institute. The system encompassed a letter showing the overall grade (e.g A was 90-100%, B was 80-90%, etc.) and a number to show the specific band of numbers within the allotted band of the letter. A general idea is given in the table below. The passing grade for this scale is a B1. Schools would submit the grades of the students to the ministry of education in these forms.
| Grade | Score range (0-100 scale) |
|---|---|
| A4 | 99-100% |
| A3 | 97-98% |
| A2 | 95-96% |
| A1 | 93-94% |
| A | 90-92% |
| B4 | 88-89% |
Another popular method is to grade them out of a scale of 100 instantly on the paper and on report cards. A 85% is an 85% in the report card or in official documentation of the student. This system only gained more popularity in the 2010s. The passing score for this system is 75%.
2015 Curriculum
In early 2013, the ministry of education once again decided to renew the curriculum of Indragiri to better prepare students for the challenges they will face in the next 20 years or so. Learning and classrooms were improved to fit an IT-based curriculum for students and teachers to utilize together. An IT-based curriculum was seen as necessary to counteract the ongoing changes in the global society happening around Indragiri. Students are encouraged to bring laptops, phones and tablets to school for the all purpose of learning. Starting in 2016, all tests in Indragiri must be done with a laptop or tablet because grading individual pen and paper tests have proved to be slow and very inaccurate.
The 2015 curriculum encompasses schools from preschool all the way to upper secondary education with each school requiring different standards than other schools. An emphasis on spirituality, good attitude and cognitive abilities are also put to place in all classrooms, regardless of school type. In preparatory schools, each course and sub course has its own separate curriculum with differing criterion of graduation for its course and sub course.
There are three aspects of grading in the 2015 curriculum: religiosity, ability and knowledge. To fulfill these requirements, new and interactive activities must be put into place in each subject to discover how excelling each student has gone in each aspect. Project-based learning has also taken ground in many schools in Indragiri, and the government is encouraging more schools to adopt such system.
Many students and parents have complained that the new curriculum is too challenging and difficult, and many claim that some syllabus materials are suitable for higher grades, as the brain has not yet developed enough to comprehend the materials. However, a spokesperson at the ministry of education has said that this technique has worked well throughout the ages, and has made Indragiri the bastion of education in the region and one of the best in Aeia. Still, the 2015 curriculum is one of the most challenging curricula implemented by any government in Aeia. Lately, this has become a strain on the parent's side as they are no longer available to help students accomplish their homework, and must enroll them in extra learning institutes to help them succeed in school.
Grading System
Introduced in the 2015 curriculum, a scale of 0-5 will be put to place with 5 being the best and 0 being the worst. Students will be graded in three aspects in each subject. A passing grade of 3.0 is implemented in all schools in Indragiri except international schools in special economic zones where foreigners are allowed to buy land. The table below shows an approximation of the scores from the 0-100% scale to the 0-5 scale.
| Grade | Score range (0-100 scale) |
|---|---|
| 0-0.5 | <50% |
| 0.6-1 | 51-55% |
| 1.5-2 | 56-62% |
| 2-2.5 | 63-69% |
| 2.5-3 | 70-75% |
| 3-3.5 | 76-81% |
| 3.5-4 | 82-89% |
| 4-4.5 | 90-95% |
| 4.5-5 | 96-100% |
Textbook Controversy
In early of 2017, an image of what appears to be a math textbook went viral overnight due to it containing inappropriate adult material. It depicts an elderly couple fully without attire. As a result, 2.4 million books were recalled and investigated. A high ranking official at the ministry of education said that this is "a big embarrassment" and "a ludicrous joke" to the good name of the ministry of education, and he claims that the error was a result of misconduct or laziness on the textbook's producers and editors. A thorough investigation of the issue has taken place, and found that the producer accidentally put in the wrong photo, which went undetected by the editors. Many citizens ridicule the level of laziness on the editor's side.
A newer textbook has been released by the ministry of education. The producers and the editors of the book have been fired for "undermining the social order."
School Types
There are a variety of school types in Indragiri for secondary and upper schools that students may wish to enroll in. Different schools have different purposes for the goals of each student. While the average student may want to enroll in a public school, some may opt to enter preparatory schools or vocational schools.
Some schools offer transportation from homes to school using a school bus system. School buses would pick up children in designated school bus stops in an orderly manner. The cost of operating such system is definitely higher, but this system has been proven to be safer and more controlled than having children go to school either by carpooling or having a parent or a guardian dropping them off. This system also minimizes the odds of students arriving late at school.
Preschool
Preschool education in Indragiri is, while not mandatory, a requirement for admission in many elementary schools throughout Indragiri. Preschool education is divided into two schools: Preschools and Early Child Developmental Schools, more commonly knowns as ECD schools. All preschools and ECD schools are run by the government and tuition is free. Most subjects taught in these schools focus on building interactive skills and knowledge that they would need upon reaching the first stage of formal education.
Preschool
Preschool in Indragiri begins at age 3-4 where children are put into playgroup classes. In these classes, children are indulged in a variety of educative toys and games in order to build fundamental skills to prepare them for kindergarten. Most parents still attend playgroup while accompanying their children play. Unlike in other parts of Aeia, playgroup is an essential part of kindergarten, and is therefore state funded. Playgroup usually lasts for a year.
Kindergartens provide an environment for children to learn how to interact with others, and to prepare them for formal education at Primary school. Kindergarten consists of two years, namely kindergarten 1 (TK A) and kindergarten 2 (TK B). In these very schools, children are taught to speak, read, write and count as they are required to be admitted in an elementary school. Schools in both republics teach their own respective mother tongue, while schools in the Special Capital Region of Ambarawa teach Giri, as it is the more spoken language in Indragiri, although some schools have opted to teach Indra instead.
In kindergarten 1, children are taught the numbers, alphabet and counting. Most kindergartens do not have tables, as the children sit on a carpet. in kindergarten 2, children are taught to read and talk fluently, preparing them for elementary school.
Early Child Development Schools
ECD schools in Indragiri serve the same purpose as preschools, however, they are more directed to the mental and physical development of the child and have more activities compared to preschools. However, there is a small tuition fee to cover the expenses that may be used while running the programs of an ECD school. An ECD school has 4 stages with each stage building upon the previous stage. Children are admitted in as early as 2-3 years old where they have regular exercise and going out of class sessions to improve their physical skills. Upon reaching stage 3, they are taught to read, write, count and talk.
Upon reaching stage 4, the children are screened by a psychologist to determine the child's potential and talents. This result would be viewed by elementary schools throughout Indragiri if one wishes to enroll their child in an elementary school. ECD schools are becoming more popular due to their benefits on children. ECD schools, in fact, is a new concept created by the then Minister of Education Fahmi Abdul Jalil.
Elementary school
Elementary school consists of 6 years with most starting school at age 6 or 7. Elementary school is compulsory under the 12 years education plan that was ratified in 1995. Exceptions are made to students who have a learning disability or are homeschooled, but the MoE requires that these students take a standardized test upon graduating the course. Elementary school consists of two phases: The foundation phase (grades 1-3) and the orientation phase (grades 4-6). Students are tested at the beginning of grade 4 to determine their skills and potential. Students who excel in certain topics are given enrichment classes to further improve their abilities and understanding of the concept. Although free of charge for all students, there is an average fee of Rp. 30 per month to cover costs which the government doesn't fund.
The foundation phase is the first phase of formal education, covering basic maths, language, social and natural sciences, religion as well as other subjects like sports, music, arts and English.
School starting times for Elementary schools in Indragiri range between 7:00 to 8:30 with school dismissal ranging between 13:00 to 14:00. An earlier dismissal allows for the child to interact more with the environment outside of school, claims a sociologist. School starting times have been pushed to later in the morning. More and more schools are setting their starting times closer to 8:00 rather than 7:00 as recommendation from the association of psychologists of Indragiri. Longer break times have also been implemented because children aged 7-11 require more physical activities outside of the class.
Foundation phase
The foundation phase of many elementary schools in Indragiri begins with a pre-test of the students' understanding of concepts that will have to be mastered in the next three years. Addition, subtraction, writing, reading and listening are part of the pre-test which is a national requirement since 2004. Teachers will then be able to see the lacks of each student and the positive sides of each student. Foundation phases are taught in either Giri or Indra or both, depending on the location and the policies of the said school.
In first grade, students are introduced to the world and environment of formal education. Introductory and fundamental topics are first discussed before the teaching of material and lessons to the students such as a period in where the students tour and get to know their school and surroundings better (called Masa Pengenalan Lingkungan Sekolah in Giri, School environment introduction) on the first day they attend elementary school. Subjects taught in first grade build on previous knowledge gained in preschool or ECD school and introduce new concepts built upon what students have gained in preschool. All foundation phase subjects are taught in first grade, except English, which will be first studied in second grade.
In order to pass first grade, students must take their year end examination. Most of the questions given are in multiple choice question with 3 options (A, B and C), except language arts, which consists of an oral and a written essay exam.
In second grade, English will be first taught to the students, adding a new subject to the schedule of the students. Second grade materials are a deeper understanding and expansion of materials given in first grade. In third grade, students are enriched in their knowing of sciences as science would be split into two: Physics and Biology with most schools choosing to teach physics in the first semester and biology in the second semester. After passing grade three and moving up to grade four, students will take a mapping exam to find potentially gifted students to receive enrichment in their field of talent.
Orientation phase
Beginning in grade four, students are oriented towards their skills and talents which groups students into three main groups: Science Smart, Social Studies Smart and Arts smart. Although grouped into such groups, they will still receive other subjects, but in a reduced amount to accommodate for the increased hours of their respective groups. Special enrichment classes may be given to some students who lack or show a higher expectation of understanding of the material being taught. Although test scores determine which group a student belongs in, parent initiatives could prevent a student from entering a said group due to fears that their child would not be able to cope with the materials and lessons that will be given at an increased rate.
Some schools have removed the two phase system that was originally brought up by the government in favor of providing a universal education to all its students regardless of abilities and talents. According to these schools, it is too early to group students into such groups, and it would still require a more basic understanding of humanly concepts regarding to social, science and culture before they could even be classified and sorted out into groups.
Science smart classes receive extra hours in maths and science while social studies smart classes receive more hours in social studies. Art smart classes get more music and art hours. Students in science smart classes will not be mixed with a student from say an art smart class, and this continues until they have graduated elementary school. Although it may seem that students are not getting basic fundamental education, all has been covered in special classes that are held for a month, usually in April or may to equalize the basic requirements of the curriculum.
Before leaving elementary school, students must take a national examination which is held simultaneously throughout the country, usually in late November or early December. Subjects for the national examination, or known as Evaluasi Belajar Akhir Tahap Nasional 6 (EBATANAS 6) in Giri include math, science and Indra/Giri language, depending on the location of the school. The scores would determine which school a student will go to. It is not uncommon to see students taking extra courses to prepare for the EBATANAS 6 due to get a good and reputable middle school or preparatory school.
Lower Secondary Schools
Lower secondary education in Indragiri is mandatory for all capable students and pupils as part of the education reforms of 1989 which explicitly states that "all capable and willing children or citizens of Indragiri must have obtained a twelve or thirteen year basic education cycle appropriated by any institution that has been certified by the MoE." The full thirteen or twelve years program includes lower secondary education, and not going to one without a reason could lead to parents being fined a small amount for "undermining the social order." Although so, few, if any parents refuse to send their children to school considering the opportunities and the qualities of modern Indragirian schools. The current superintendent for lower secondary education is Andi Maraban.
Currently, formal education for lower secondary level in Indragiri consists of secondary schools and preparatory schools which prepare students in accordance to their selected stream for university. Preparatory school consists of 4 years, unlike secondary schools which only last three years.
Secondary school
Secondary school is the name coined by the MoE for generic lower secondary education. Generally, public secondary schools offer a high quality of generic education, meaning that pupils receive all materials (natural sciences, social sciences and religion) regardless of their abilities and talents of each student. Secondary schools in Indragiri consists of three years as previously mentioned with grade 7, 8 and 9 occupying the secondary school grades. Most students are in their early teen years, and mandatory guidance and counseling classes have been instated since early 2005 to provide for an open and nurturing environment for the pupils to grow in. Puberty and teen education is also part of the curriculum of secondary schools.
Unlike elementary school, secondary school does not have phases and consists of only one course for all students, although so, regional varieties and needs could be added to the current curriculum to provide for the adjustment of the curriculum to fit local needs. Electives are also part of the secondary school curriculum with students able to pick a variety and range of subjects starting with second foreign language, ancient history, computer science and advanced mathematics. Teachers are also highly qualified to prevent a misinformation of content being taught to the student.
Although classified under "generic education" by the MoE, secondary schools in Indragiri have focused on maths, sciences and history over the course of the past few years in order to help students achieve a better understanding of the topics as most students will pursue a degree in university which will require a concrete understanding of the said topics. Some schools also provide for extra enrichment classes to cater the added materials of the new 2015 curriculum.
Upon reaching grade 9, students are faced with the EBATANAS 9 test to asses the average ability of students in Indragiri. The test scores are usually meant to be a benchmark of the policies and regulations made over the past year to be evaluated for future policy and regulation planning. The tests are usually carried out on a computer or electronic device as they have became a requirement of the standardized EBATANAS tests. Subjects of the EBATANAS include math, science, social studies, Indra/Giri Language (depending on the location) and English language. Each test consists of 40 questions and done in a two hour time span.
Preparatory Schools
Preparatory schools in Indragiri are permitted starting in 1995 as an alternative to standard secondary schools. Some preparatory schools are government owned, although there has been a growing number of private preparatory schools in Indragiri, especially in the capital Ambarawa. Preparatory school consists of four years instead of three years, and graduates of preparatory schools can either enter an upper preparatory school designed to accommodate students from preparatory schools, or they could go straight to eleventh grade in an upper school (higher secondary education). Few, if any students continue their education in a vocational school as preparatory schools aim for their students to enter top universities instead of jumping into the national workforce immediately, a concept which is held by vocational schools.
Preparatory schools aren't free and they cost anywhere from Rp. 100 a month to Rp. 1500 for the best and most well-renowned schools in Indragiri. The benefits of preparatory school is that education isn't generic any more and students decide to chose one out of five main topics. These five topics are then subdivided into three or four subtopics in which students choose only one subtopic to master in. They include:
| Subtopic | Description |
|---|---|
| Group A: Natural Sciences | |
| A1 | Physics |
| A2 | Biology |
| A3 | Chemistry |
| A4 | Advanced Maths |
| A5 | Environmental Sciences |
| Group B: Social Sciences | |
| B1 | Sociology |
| B2 | History |
| B3 | Economy |
| B4 | Geography |
| Group C: Language | |
| C1 | Giri Language |
| C2 | Indra Language |
| C3 | English Language |
| C4 | Foreign Language |
| C5 | Grammar |
| Group D: Humanities | |
| D1 | Religious Norms |
| D2 | Religious History |
| D3 | Philosophy |
| D4 | Psychology |
No such school offers all courses to students as there is not enough demand in each area for a school to open a class in a course. Typically, a preparatory school would only have 4-5 courses spanning the four big groups. Usually, group A courses dominate the class makeup with group D courses making a tiny portion of all courses offered in all preparatory schools in Indragiri. Students, when already accepted and enrolled in a course, are not able to change their course, although one chance for them to change courses is given halfway through the first semester upon acceptance into a course.
Upon reaching fourth grade of preparatory school, students are once again faced with the Saringan Bersama Kelulusan Sekolah Khusus (SBKSK), which is a final test in which all students take as a requirement for graduation. There are 6 separate tests: Giri/Indra Langauge (depending on location), mandatory math, mandatory science, mandatory social studies, religion and each course's subject. A minimum grade of 6.5 is required to pass the test and in order to graduate from preparatory school to continue to further education. The test scores will also determine which schools students will go to depending on their score. An online and official website will determine which school each student will go to depending on where they live, their score, their choices and their financial situation to avoid students from traveling too far to reach school and to avoid parents earning minimum wage from paying extra for their child going to an expensive school.
Upper Schools
Upper school (Also known in some parts as upper secondary school) is the final stage for compulsory education. In this stage, students are faced with three choices of school, ranging from an ordinary upper school, an upper preparatory school for specialization and a vocational school for students who wish to work after graduating from upper (secondary) education. Most students choose an ordinary upper school as they will have more time to decide what they wish to take on in university or college later on. Some have chosen what they would like to become and chose an upper preparatory school to focus on one specific subject for university. Although so, most students that enter upper preparatory schools are alumni of preparatory schools, and not ordinary secondary schools. Because upper preparatory schools only accept students aged 16-17, students from ordinary secondary schools must complete one year in an ordinary upper school due to the one year difference in the systems.
Vocational schools offer a variety of topics and courses available for the students to pick. An online selection system would determine where students who apply will be put based on their standardized test scores. Upon graduation, students are free to work in their field of expertise, or continue education to a university or institution. Most students who graduate vocational school work for a period of time first, then enroll in a university to meet the growing demands of his or her job. Vocational schools are becoming less popular these days with the advent of university education being more available to everyone, and more and more vocational schools are being closed down by the government.
Upper School
Upper schools offer a generic upper secondary education to students who enroll in such schools. Most upper schools jumble the needs of the curriculum with the capability of students using a smart system designed to discover which students lack in which subjects using an e-learning application that most schools individually have. The advent of modern technology has enabled upper schools in Indragiri to hold open classes via a downloadable app in where students sometimes study outside of the classroom and in nature. Most graduates of upper schools eventually go to universities or colleges, although a rare few decide to jump into the workforce.
Upper school in Indragiri consists of 3 years (grades 10, 11 and 12), in which most students are in their teen to early adolescence years. Sex education classes have been fitted into the curriculum to prevent teenage pregnancy, the spread of HIV/AIDS and more. In addition to sex education, the number of guidance counselors have been added incrementally with the hopes of facilitating and mediating between troubled parties and to ensure that peace and order is maintained throughout the school.
Subjects in upper school remain mostly the same with their secondary school counterparts, although some new differences are introduced in upper school. Chemistry is added to the syllabus of upper school, previously unknown to the students of secondary school. Elective classes are available for students to pick. In addition to the syllabus prepared by the central ministry of education, local subjects and fittings may be added to the overall school schedule to adjust for locality needs. For example, the teaching of traditional culture have been added to schools in the IndraFR lately.
Upon reaching grade 12, another national examination would take place, and will determine one's eligibility for graduation. The test is usually done online, and in one time throughout Indragiri. Pen and paper tests were last taken in 2016 as they proved to be too expensive and a hassle to distribute. The national examination is called Saringan Bersama Untuk Lulus Sekolah Tinggi (SBULST).
The completion of Upper school in Indragiri has risen over the past few years from 83% in 2004 to almost 100% in 2016. Studies have shown that an increase of communication technology and a stronger incentive by parents to complete school have led to the increase. Failing a grade is viewed with very great embarrassment, and parents might even disown their child for failing a grade, as is the case in 2013 in Adram, although disowning someone is illegal in Indragiri and could be punishable by law.
Most upper schools hold the Saringan Bersama Masuk Perguruan Tinggi Negeri (SBMPTN) usually in May or June of that year. This test determines which universities students will go to based on their choice of course and university. This test is held annually, and consists of a science test, a social studies test or a mixed test. Students are obliged to only take one test.
Upper Preparatory Schools
Upper preparatory schools are the continuation of preparatory schools, in which a majority of students who have graduated preparatory school eventually continue into an upper preparatory school, however, it isn't mandatory for alumnae of preparatory schools to enroll in upper preparatory schools. Students from ordinary secondary schools are able to enroll in upper preparatory schools, but few do so because material in upper preparatory schools are generally more advanced than secondary and upper schools. Unlike preparatory school, upper preparatory school only consists of 3 years, and most students graduate when they are 18 or 19.
Subjects in preparatory schools are the same to those of preparatory schools. Students who have enrolled a specific sub course in preparatory schools are only able to change sub courses within their group (i.e a student enrolled in an A5 environmental sciences in preparatory school may change sub courses in upper preparatory school, but only within the A group). In grade 2 semester 2 and grade 3 of upper preparatory school, college material will be taught to the students based on their choice of sub course. This is to shorten the time they will take in college. On average an upper preparatory school graduate will only spend one year and a half completing a bachelor's degree in some universities in Indragiri with upper preparatory schools being trusted by universities to have been teaching some tertiary syllabus to their students.
Many upper preparatory schools form contracts with universities to attract potential students and to ease alumnae on getting enrolled in universities. Because of this partnership, some professors in universities occasionally visit upper preparatory schools to filter out potential students for university. Most universities also give out invitations to excelling students, meaning that they would not have to take a test when entering university.
The final test for upper preparatory school students is the Uji Kelulusan Tahap Akhir Sekolah Khusus Atas (UKTASKA) which is done in early February of that year. Many universities focus their attention on scores of the UKTASKA tests for potential students. Students who score high in these test usually get accepted at a variety of universities, and therefore make them eligible for scholarship from the government. The government gives out scholarships to potential students who score high in UKTASKA tests. The government guarantees that all fees would be covered until they graduate a bachelor's degree. Usually, these students get an easier time earning a scholarship for masters or doctoral.
Vocational Schools
Vocational schools were first opened to the public in 1959 as an alternative to ordinary upper school. Vocational schools take four years to complete in any subject and prepare students to work upon graduating. There are a variety of options for students to pick in vocational schools, although the most popular branch and course in vocational school as of 2016 is mechanical engineering and automotive maintenance. Although so, there are still many courses and options to pick such as business administration, catering services, healthcare, accounting, etc.
Subjects in vocational schools focus on the main course's topic, although traditional subjects and mandatory subjects aren't cleared off the daily schedule. For example, one might major in automotive engineering, and he or she will get automotive classes and hands-on experiences in the garage controlled by a teacher or guardian. Vocational schools have shifted from theory-centered learning to hands-on learning experiences because a study done by Institute of Technology of Indragiri has found that workers that were educated with direct experience fare better than those packed with theory, although they have no such experience with the subject they take.
Standardized Testing
Standardized testing has always been part of the Indragirian curriculum. Standardized tests are always taken when one is about to graduate a certain school (e.g preparatory school, vocational school, etc.) as a requirement implemented by the ministry of education for graduation. Standard tests make up 60% of the total score required for graduation, and the rest goes to school report cards, thus creating a sense that the standard tests at the end of each school determine one's status for graduation, although this is not the case in a few occurrences. Standard tests also measure the index of schools in Indragiri by comparing the average score of takers from each school. This way, the ministry of education will know on which schools to improve and to rehabilitate.
Standard tests are designed by a team of teachers, experts and professionals selected by the ministry of education a year before the standardized tests take place. Teachers who happen to be selected by the ministry of education will then forgo their teaching job for a month, usually in the month of February of the next year they were selected in to meet up with other teachers and experts and design a series of questions and tests in-line with the current curriculum.
Due to the nature of these tests, no one except the dedicated team know what the questions will look like, as they are regarded by the ministry of education and by most institutions as a "state secret", and thus, anyone revealing or discovering it with the intent of benefiting one party can be legally arrested. There have been cases of people being able to get their hands on some of the questions that will be asked in the exam, however, since 2008, all questions and solutions have been stored in a central server in an undisclosed location to prevent unwanted happenings. The system is touted by many to be "one of the most secure servers" in Indragiri, as the server itself contains not only the questions and solutions to all of the standardized tests, but also foreign intelligence and government records.
The Standardized tests are in either the Giri Language or the Indra language, depending on the location of the school. Schools in Ambarawa, however, are free to determine their own language. Some schools even offer bi-lingual solutions for students of both kinds. Standardized tests are usually two hours long for each subject. No extensions are allowed.
EBATANAS 6
EBATANAS 6, short for Evaluasi Belajar Akhir Tahap Nasional 6, is the name for the standardized test taken by 6th grade students of elementary school when they are about to graduate elementary school. The EBATANAS 6 comprises of three topics: Mother tongue (either Giri or Indra), Math and Sciences. Each test consists of 40 multiple choice questions and is usually done with an electronic device.
The maximum score for each test is 10, meaning that the maximum total score one could attain from the EBATANAS 6 test is a 30. This score is used when trying to enter the next stage of mandatory education in Indragiri, either secondary school or preparatory school. Scores of the EBATANAS take at least two weeks to be processed by a central server before being handed over to the students.
Usually, the EBATANAS 6 is taken in mid May.
EBATANAS 9
EBATANAS 9, or Evaluasi Belajar Akhir Tahap Nasional 9, is the name for the standardized test taken by 9th grade students of secondary school in either mid to late April or early May. The EBATANAS 9 now comrpises of four topics: Mother tongue (either Giri or Indra), Math, Science and Social Studies. The tests comprise of 50 multiple choice questions, in which each question will have four multiple choices. The EBATANAS 9, similar to the EBATANAS 6, is undertook with an electronic device using a special program.
The maximum score for each test is 10, mkaking the maximum total score of the EBATANAS 9 a 40. The score of the EBATANAS 9 measures the quality of secondary schools in Indragiri and the overall score of the education system in Indragiri throughout the years.
SBKSK
The Saringan Bersama Kelulusan Sekolah Khusus (SBKSK) is the standardized test for 4th grade preparatory school students.
Standards and Qualifications
The standardization of standards and qualifications is a sub branch of the ministry of education designed to maintain educational attainment and quality in each student. The group decides the passing grade in each subject, school and university as instructed by the ministry of education. The standard has provided tremendous benefits for Indragiri and potential employers to pick out workers they see to be most fit, however they would not have to worry on the quality of each worker since they must have passed a standardization and qualifications test upon graduating university or school.
Every national test in Indragiri are designed by the said group. Their tests are mandatory if one wishes to graduate a certain school.
Indragirian Educational Level Standard
The Indragirian National Standard for Educational Attainment (INSEA) is a statistical framework to measure and inform on education habits of the country. It was developed in 2006 by the ministry of education and is still maintained by the ministry of education. Below is a table for the standards as prescribed by the ministry of education. The INSEA scale is used thoroughly throughout Indragiri by companies, schools, corporations and universities to determine which education level is suited best for their openings or positions. The INSEA has been revised once in 2009 with the addition of the Professorial certification.
| Level | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Early Childhood Education | Education designed to facilitate early child development. A strong emphasis is put into cognitive and motor skills of children to prepare them for life in society and formal school. |
| 1 | Elementary Education | First phase in mandatory 12 or 13 years education program initiated by Indragirian government. Programs designed to give students a basic understanding of basic everyday concepts to prepare them for secondary and tertiary education. |
| 2 | Lower Secondary Education | First stage of secondary education. There are two formally recognized schools in Indragiri that caters to these needs, Secondary school and preparatory school. Usually, by this stage, a more subject-oriented and a technology-based curriculum will be put into place. |
| 3 | Upper Secondary Education | Second and final stage of secondary education. There are three formally recognized schools in Indragiri that caters to upper secondary education. Upper secondary education consists of material and syllabus that nears tertiary education, however, not as complex. Some schools may even take on some syllabus that are meant for tertiary education, but still classified under upper secondary education. |
| 4 | Post-Secondary Non-Tertiary Education | Post-Secondary non tertiary education is designed to supplement on secondary education to reinforce them to face tertiary education, however, subjects taught are less complex than tertiary education yet more in-depth than upper secondary education. Most people who take this course prepare for the labor market too. |
| 5 | Short-Cycle Tertiary Education | Short cycle tertiary education in Indragiri typically focuses on the practical skills needed in one's choice of degree. In Indragiri, Short-cycle tertiary education is divided into 3 types, a one year, a two year and a three year short cycle education. These programs may create ways to other tertiary education courses. |
| 6 | Bachelors or Equivalent | Bachelors in Indragiri are either called Sarjana in the Giri FR or a Doktorandus in the Indra FR. Programs are designed to provide intermediate skill, knowledge and ability leading to one earning to a first tertiary degree or equivalent. |
| 7 | Masters or Equivalent | Masters in Indragiri are called a Magister, both in the Indra FR and the Giri FR. Programs are designed to provide advanced skill, knowledge and ability leading to one earning to a second tertiary degree or equivalent. |
| 8 | Doctoral or Equivalent | A doctoral degree, or a doktor in both the Indra and Giri FR, is the final tier of the formal education system in Indragiri. Programs are designed to pave ways for graduates to do research and study in their field of expertise. |
| 9 | Professorial certification | Professorial certification is the final tier in the INSEA, where after gathering several requirements for one to become a professor, the state will grant one the title of professor, thus making the individual available to teach students undergoing a doctoral program. Professors are also guaranteed by the state upon retirement until their death. |
Indragirian Qualifications Framework
The Indragirian Qualifications Framework (IQF) acts as a translation device to make regional qualifications more readable across Indragiri, promoting workers' and learners' mobility between provinces and facilitating their lifelong learning. All qualifications issued by parties will have to make references to an appropriate IQF level. The core of the EQF concerns eight reference levels describing what a learner knows, understands and is able to do – 'learning outcomes'. Levels of national qualifications will be placed at one of the central reference levels, ranging from basic (Level 1) to advanced (Level 8).
| Level | Knowledge | Skills | Competence | Sample Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Basic and General knowledge of trade | Basic skills required to complete daily tasks, no much training necessary | Work under direct supervision of a manager or boss | * Level 1 Test Series on field work and ethics * Level 1 Test Series on office environment and maintenance |
| Level 2 | Basic and factual knowledge of trade | Basic cognitive and problem solving abilities and to use simple information relevant to field of specialty | Work under supervision of a manager or boss with some autonomy | * Level 2 Test Series on janitorial services * Level 2 Test Series on traffic flow control |
| Level 3 | Some knowledge and facts regarded concerned trade | Knowledge and cognitive abilities to utilize simple information, tools and media to solve simple work-related problems | Takes responsibility for work given, adapts to own behavior in problem solving | * Level 3 Test Series on forestry * Level 3 Test Series on taxation |
| Level 4 | Factual knowledge and broad contexts within a field of trade | A range of cognitive and practical skills required to generate solutions to specific problems in a field of work or study | Exercises self management over work done | * Level 3 Test Series on forestry * Level 3 Test Series on taxation |
| Level 5 | Comprehensive understanding and wide knowledge regarding a field of trade | Able to utilize a variety of sources of information to solve abstract concepts | Exercises management or supervision where there may be unexpected change | * Level 3 Test Series on forestry * Level 3 Test Series on taxation |
| Level 6 | Advanced understanding and wide knowledge regarding a field of trade | Advanced skills, demonstrating competence and concrete understanding of the field of work, required to solve unexpected problems and changes to original plan | Manage complex technical projects and able to motivate workers | * Level 3 Test Series on forestry * Level 3 Test Series on taxation |
| Level 7 | Highly specialized knowledge, some being the basis of a greater field of study | Specialized problem-solving skills and a high capacity to fluctuations to original plans. Integrates previous knowledge to create ingenious solutions to complex and abstract problems. | Manage and transform work or study contexts that are complex, unpredictable and require new strategic approaches | * Level 3 Test Series on forestry * Level 3 Test Series on taxation |
| Level 8 | Specialized knowledge of the most advanced frontier of field of work and a high understanding of correlating fields | The most advanced skills required to propel team and company forward using a variety of advanced tools and algorithms. | Demonstrate substantial authority over workers. | * Level 3 Test Series on forestry * Level 3 Test Series on taxation |