Only a few people know that Indonesia has Indonesian Schools Abroad (SILN) jointly managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. For over 40 years, SILN has not only served as a gateway for Indonesia's education and cultural diplomacy on three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe, but also as a crucial means to meet the educational needs of Indonesian students residing in those regions.
One of the active SILNs that continues to operate to this day is the Indonesian School in Jeddah, located in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, providing education with an Indonesian curriculum. Given its significant role in preserving Indonesian culture, language, and identity in foreign countries, the Indonesian School in Jeddah consistently strives to enhance access and the quality of education it offers.
The Head of the Indonesian School in Jeddah, Mr. Sutikno, S.Pd., M.Pd, conveyed that “Teacher development is one of the key factors in enhancing the quality of education and students. Skilled and knowledgeable teachers who continually update their skills can provide a better learning experience for students.”
In realizing this vision, the Indonesian School in Jeddah explores the possibility of collaborating with the SEAMEO Regional Learning Centre (SEAMOLEC), which has warmly welcomed the initiative. This was marked by the signing of a cooperation document between the two institutions, held online on October 25, 2023. Both parties have agreed to undertake a series of activities aimed at enhancing the quality of teaching at the Indonesian School in Jeddah, including training and capacity-building activities for the teaching staff.
In his remarks, Dr. Wahyudi, the Director of SEAMOLEC, stated, “SEAMOLEC is ready to support the development of teachers at the Indonesian School in Jeddah by providing services, including training programs in educational technology, curriculum development, and best teaching strategies.”
The collaboration between SEAMOLEC and SILN, such as in Jeddah, is believed to enhance the quality of education and strengthen the education system as a whole. This support is a crucial step in ensuring that education remains relevant and of high quality, as well as supporting the development of Indonesian students abroad.