As an accredited Joint Cooperation School (SPK) dedicated to providing quality education to students of all ages, the Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) recognizes the importance of a well-rounded learning experience for children in their early years.
JAKARTA, Indonesia, Sept. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Early childhood is a crucial phase of development for children up to 6 years of age. This is when young learners absorb everything they hear, see, smell and feel around them — this is when the love of learning truly begins.

JIS Head of School Dr. Tarek Razik, JIS Elementary School Principal Maya Rangkuti Nelson and special guest Ir. Harris Iskandar Ph.D, Director-General of Early Childhood and Community Education from the Ministry of Education and Culture were playing clay with the kids. The EYC reflects JIS’ continued commitment to fostering curious, well-rounded learners from an early age, and the school’s ongoing partnership with Indonesia in the field of education.

 
At the start of this 2018/19 academic school year, JIS further strengthened its resolution to nurture passionate and engaged lifelong learners with the opening of the Early Years Center (EYC) and by welcoming new Elementary School principal Maya Rangkuti Nelson. A former student and teacher at JIS, Nelson returns to the school after more than 30 years working in the field of education across the world. She arrives just in time for the inauguration of the EYC on Tuesday, September 25, 2018.
"The early years are a time that must be honored and respected. We believe that building a child’s cognitive, language, motor, attention and social-emotional development is most critical and builds the foundation for all learning," Nelson explains. "Play, as an aspect of our Early Years classes, effectively and positively supports brain development so that each child can fully develop his or her own capacities."
The new EYC in JIS Elementary School Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, reinforces JIS’ Early Years program by inspiring exploration, investigation and questioning by presenting opportunities for creative and physical play, both indoors and outdoors.
The ecologically designed two-story building houses 12 classrooms and facilities specifically conceived to nurture young learners aged 3 to 6, including an art room, an outdoor reading area, a project space and a dance and movement studio. Students can also explore two Maker Space studios that combine technology and crafts.
"Of most importance is the ability of a facility to create curiosity," Nelson adds. "We wanted a building where children can grow in their independence, go inside and outside, and can find beauty or wonder around any corner."
In addition to Nelson and JIS Head of School Dr. Tarek Razik, Tuesday’s inauguration was attended by Jakarta Education Agency (Diknas) Acting Head Bowo Irianto, as well as Ir. Harris Iskandar Ph.D, the Ministry of Education and Culture’s Director General of Early Childhood Education and Community Education.
"This is a momentous occasion for JIS, because the EYC not only reflects the hard work and perseverance of our faculty, but also the ongoing partnership with our host country in the field of education," Razik says. "JIS is eager to share this exciting journey with the Ministry of Education and Culture as well as Diknas as we stay committed to sharing our best practices, setting the table for early childhood education and fostering the future leaders of Indonesia."
Ir. Harris Iskandar Ph.D adds: "We hope the EYC will benefit both JIS students and the educational community outside of JIS, particularly by improving the competencies of Indonesia’s younger generation — which starts with early childhood education."
Echoing his sentiments, Bowo Irianto believes that "the EYC will be strategic [to the future of education]. The country is moving toward Golden Indonesia 2045 — when it will celebrate 100 years of independence — with enthusiasm. Therefore, we hope that when the time comes, the ‘little stars’ of the EYC will shine brightly in the success story of our beloved nation, Indonesia."
About Jakarta Intercultural School
Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) was established by two United Nations workers on September 1, 1951. A pioneer in its field, the school introduced a newly independent Indonesia to English-language education for the children of expatriates.
JIS started as the Joint Embassy School (JES) in honor of the four embassies that supported its founding, namely Britain, the United States, Australia and then-Yugoslavia. Nearly seven decades on, it has grown to take up 46 acres (18.6 hectares) in three expansive campuses equipped with cutting-edge learning facilities and more than 200 experienced teachers.
JIS now caters to some 2,300 students from more than 70 countries with an inquiry-based international curriculum that places equal emphasis on academics, language, sports and the arts, while valuing inclusivity and diversity.
Going forward, JIS will stay committed to serving and steering its multicultural community of lifelong learners to be Best for the World.
For more information, visit https://www.jisedu.or.id/
Facebook: Jakarta Intercultural SchoolInstagram: @jakartainterculturalschoolTwitter: @JISofficial
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Source: prnasia