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School Visits, Participants Amazed
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Observing a lesson at MTsN Binjai, the national conference participants, mostly government officials, were surprised at what they saw.
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The DBE3 National Conference in Medan on 3 and 4 August included visits to schools. The participants were divided into groups to visit four partner schools: SMPN 2 Binjai, SMPN 11 Binjai, MTsN Binjai and SMPN 2 Lubuk Pakam, as well as one school, SMPN 9 Binjai, which is replicating the DBE3 program.
The participants were suprprised at the learning they saw taking place in these schools. The students showed a lot of self confidence during discussions with the participants. “I was amazed when I went to five different classes at SMPN 2 Binjai. The teachers were acting as facilitators and the students were actively participating in the lessons,” said Najumudin, a district parliament member from Bogor.
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USAID Plans to Extend DBE
USAID is planning to extend the DBE1, DBE2 and DBE3 programs until June 2011 with additional funding. DBE3’s priority during this extension will be to consolidate its program in the partner schools and to disseminate the program to non partner schools. To support these objectives, DBE3 will work closely with district governments in planning and implementing activities with advocacy and planning activities at local and national levels.
Districts Plan Follow up to DBE3 Activities
A DBE3 National Planning Conference was held in Medan on August 3-4 to plan the development of the program in the 25 partner districts, which have been taking part in the extension program. The actvities involved representatives of the District Education Offices, the Religious Affairs Offices, the District Development Agency (Bappeda), the District Parliament (DRPD) and the provincial quality assurance institutes (LPMP).
They focused on on two things: developing a program for the period of the DBE extension and developing a follow-up program after DBE3 assistance finishes. The programs planned include replication to more schools, study visits to DBE3 partner schools, and using district facilitators to support district training activities.
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Hj. Ratu Ati Marliati, the Head of Education Office of Kota Cilegon, presenting their district plan during a plenary session. Five representatives from the provinces presented their plans to develop the DBE3 programs in their district in line with local needs.
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The programs are expected to be supported by funding from the local government budget (APBD). It is hoped that the districts will integrate the DBE3 program into their quality improvement plans.
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