BPK Penabur’s international programme reflects Indonesia’s educational transformation
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In an increasingly competitive global education landscape, BPK Penabur, a Christian school in Jakarta, has implemented the NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) programme to help students transition from Indonesian high school education to international universities. This aligns with Indonesia’s broader educational transformation under the new “Emancipation Curriculum” which emphasises foundational competencies and 21st-century skills.
The school’s approach reflects wider policy discussions about preparing Indonesian students for global competitiveness. According to Chief Branding Officer Stephen Mowat, most Penabur graduates pursue higher education overseas, highlighting a trend that intersects with Indonesia’s educational challenges. While Indonesia has made improvements in enrolment and gender parity, low learning and learning inequality remain major challenges.
The IFY maintains smaller class sizes compared to regular courses, allowing for more individualised attention – an approach that resonates with current educational reform priorities. The Emancipation Curriculum adopts holistic, formative assessment methods and increases teachers’ flexibility and autonomy in schools, similar to the personalised approach Penabur employs in its international programme.
We’re a Christian school with an international curriculum focused on academic excellence. We develop students’ character to better the world, most of our students target overseas universities when they finish their studies. NCUK has partnerships with over 60 universities that our students can choose from.
Mr Stephen Mowat, Chief Branding Officer at BPK Penabur
The programme’s emphasis on critical thinking skills alongside academic content addresses what education experts have identified as fundamental issues requiring improved teacher training and education administration reform. This focus on developing both academic and practical skills for university success reflects Indonesia’s broader educational policy shift toward preparing students for the demands of higher education and global careers.
Penabur’s success stories, including students gaining admission to institutions like The University of Manchester, demonstrate outcomes that align with Indonesia’s educational development goals. The country’s priority is to improve learning quality through foundational skills acquisition and character development for all Indonesian primary and secondary students.
The school’s biannual education fairs and counselling services represent the type of comprehensive support system that complements Indonesia’s educational infrastructure development. The Indonesian government is planning to improve the current vocational education system with multiple skill certificates, indicating a broader recognition of the need for diverse educational pathways.
The partnership with NCUK exemplifies how individual schools are adapting to Indonesia’s evolving educational landscape, where international schools adopt curricula such as the IB (International Baccalaureate) or CIE (Cambridge International Examinations) to meet growing demand for internationally recognised qualifications. This trend reflects the practical implementation of educational reforms aimed at improving Indonesia’s competitiveness in the global education landscape.