We need your support to advocate for more low-cost community schools that gives kids from poor backgrounds better life opportunities.
In Indonesia, 36 million children do not complete basic schooling because poor families must choose whether their child should go to school, or find work to support the family. This significantly limits access to better life opportunities that could break the cycle of poverty.
Low-cost community schools is a way to get more kids in classrooms.
Low-cost community schools are schools set up by community leaders and members to teach children from low-income families. Community schools use curricula that give parents and teachers more influence, so that schools provide their child the type of education they feel is most needed for better opportunities.
There are already some low-cost community schools that exist in urban and rural areas in Indonesia. Below are just some of the schools established and supported by community members.
TK Tunas Harapan![1364145641108635364]( "1364145641108635364")
The Tunas Harapan kindergarten is in Bajulmati, a rural village south of Malang in East Java. The kindergarten is made a reality from the cooperation and full support of the village community, who fully fund the school by selling farm products.
The school emphasizes awareness and importance of their environment, a focus that parents and the community want to instill to their children.
Their blog can be found here, and a feature article on the school, here (both in Bahasa Indonesia).
Sekolah Alam Tunas Mutiara![]()
The Alam Tunas Mutiara school is located in an urban landfill in Bantar Gebang, east of Jakarta. The school was started by Nadam Dwi Subketi (pictured above), whose house was near the landfill and wanted many of the kids working as trash pickers to receive an education.
The school is also an opportunity for kids to get away from the toxic environment of the landfill and poor living conditions. The school has over 200 students and relies much on donations and scholarships, which have been used for students to move on to higher level education.
Their programs as well as donation channels can be found here through the school's foundation blog (in Bahasa Indonesia).
Studies indicate community schools make an impact.
Students from low-cost community schools in Asia and Africa have even done better than their counterparts in government-run schools. Proving that quality education does not need to be expensive, and can be done.
For example, in India, poor families are willing to invest $2 a month to send their children to such community schools. Kids in these schools achieve higher scores in maths and english than children in public schools.
These are very promising signs that low-cost community schools can work in Indonesia too.
We need your help to raise awareness and convince Indonesia's policy makers of potential positive impacts community schools can bring families and young individuals.
To do this, we need to find exact data and information about community schools in Indonesia to make proposals that are practical and do-able for those in government who have the power to make such change a reality.
Where your support goes
Analysis: To get policymakers to understand the potential of low-cost community schools, we need to give them real and credible data. We need to find information on the state of any existing community schools in Indonesia, and find whether existing policies make it easier (or harder) for these schools to operate. After we have a better understanding supported by real facts, we will then formulate recommendations that can be implemented at policy level.
Advocacy: Completing research and recommendations is only half the process. We will push and advocate for the change needed to key policy makers and ministries. Real impact must be made by engaging those in government.
Training: Our efforts for better access to quality education doesn't stop once we've found the facts. We will train and coach researchers and advocates to continually push for positive change using effective methods. Our Skills for Change workshops invite young Indonesian researchers and advocates from all over Indonesia for 2-day intensive workshops held over three months. The best papers are then published and disseminated to policy makers and key influencers.
Who we are
The Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS) promotes social and economic reforms that are based on the belief that only civil, political, and economic freedom allow Indonesia to prosper.
As a strictly non-partisan and non-profit think thank, CIPS is dedicated to providing policy analysis and practical policy recommendations to decision-makers within Indonesia’s legislative and executive branches of government.
We are being financially supported by donors and philanthropists who appreciate the independence of our analysis.
Being a partner in the Atlas Network of public policy think tanks, our aim is to promote international dialogue and to encourage comparative research of key issues concerning Indonesia.
Our Supporting Partner
We are supported by our friends at the Atlas Network for this campaign.
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The Atlas Network is a non-profit organization that connects a global network of more than 400 free-market organizations across 80 countries to advance the cause of liberty. They are based in Washington D.C., and is a registered 501 (c)(3) organization.
Note: All contributions will first be collected by the Atlas Network, which will then be transferred to CIPS once the campaign ends. This allows tax deductions for U.S donors, and lower platform fees for CIPS.
Other Ways You Can Help!
Apart from contributing financially, below are other ways you can support us:
- Share our Indiegogo campaign through your social media networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc)
- Talk to friends and family about our campaign and help spread the word
- Approach businesses or organizations who may be able to donate or offer discounts for goods and services such as accommodations during field work, workshop venues, and transportation.
