School experiments with character building

Agnes Winarti ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 07/24/2008 10:40 AM  |  City

"Good morning Mr. Security Guard. Good morning Mrs. Principal," students of state elementary school No. 10 said, greeting each adult they passed in school Tuesday morning.

Irmalinda, the principal of the school located in Pondok Kelapa, East Jakarta, said such courtesy was part of a character building exercise the school had recently begun experimenting with.

Implementing the lesson is difficult as it requires teachers to mind their manners and provide a good example to children, she added.

"The toughest part is actually changing the adults. It's easier to build children's character than theirs," she told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

"Adults, including teachers and parents, should be willing to apologize to students, in addition to taking criticism from them."

Since last July, the school has become one of many in Jakarta that practice character building as part of the school's daily activities, in addition to theoretical teaching in subjects such as civics and religion.

At school No. 10, the exercise starts every morning with teachers welcoming students at the school's front gate.

"A warm smile and hello can actually make the school feel homey, both for students and their parents," Irmalinda said.

In an effort to promote two-way communication between students and faculty, the former were being taught to express their opinions, she added.

The school has some 580 students, 80 of which are first graders.

Irmalinda initiated the welcoming gesture after seeing many first graders' parents waiting in front of the school until the end of classes.

She said she took it as a sign parents were uncomfortable leaving their children, but hoped good manners and the welcome gesture would set parents and students at ease.

Many parents were unaware accompanying their children to school could affect students' mental states, she added.

"Some children who don't have parents waiting for them might feel unloved, while others whose parents do wait might become too dependent," she said.

The school also familiarizes students with religious activities, such as praying before and after lessons as well as in groups at the musholla.

"I have to admit it is easier said than done. Our school is still learning in terms of the best character building exercises," said Irmalinda, who has been teaching at the school since 1987.

At the beginning of the academic year, the school runs an "honesty refrigerator", where students can buy drinks without a cashier present by placing money in a box above the refrigerator.

"In this way, children and, hopefully, adults will learn not to cheat," Irmalinda said.

Head of Jakarta's elementary education agency Sukesti Martono said she hoped more schools were using character building techniques instead of relying on theory.

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