International Curriculum Association
By Sarah Blackmore and Julie Purnami Nugroho
International schools have not only grown significantly in numbers but evolved in response to shifts in global demographics, educational trends, technological developments and the increasingly diverse needs of students. Such diversification has contributed to a richer and more inclusive learning environment with greater emphasis on critical literacies, cultural responsiveness, global competence, environmental stewardship, and wellbeing and holistic development.
These shifts have been pushed forward naturally but also unveiled from a global pandemic that put schools worldwide in crisis. Sekolah Cita Buana, a school located in Indonesia experienced a significant impact from the pandemic which resulted in continuous learning policy changes. The school lost several faculty members; five people died of COVID-19, some were in isolation, and many needed logistic supplies.
With many schools in Jakarta at such a loss, Sekolah Cita Buana turned to the International Curriculum Association (ICA) for learning guidance to help overcome the challenges that arose. In particular, the school chose to review their implementation of the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) through the ICA recognition process, which quickly became the heart of the school’s learning process for more than five years.
The IEYC Learning Foundations and Coverage aligned with the school’s unique educational service and culture, with its inclusivity, where children of different abilities and needs are valued. The Personal Learning Dimensions were ‘indeed a lifesaver’. Children’s resilience and adaptability were put into solid practice from 2020 to 2023. The teachers conducted different scenarios of learning and explorations, ensuring the learning provided meaningful experiences for the children online or blended and onsite with some restrictions.
The International Goals of the IEYC ensured the children developed their curious mind and sense of curiosity about the world and its people. Children were also allowed to explore global perspectives, and when ready, they were facilitated opportunities to take action and make a difference.
“We believe that this combination is what made our school keep its existence”.
Julie from Sekolah Cita Buana
The international Learning Goals have been embedded in the ICA’s curriculum model from its inception. The goals have evolved from an initial focus on international mindedness to a more holistic approach to international learning that includes global competence.
One of the strengths of the ICA is that it strives to find new ways to work in partnership with its community of schools and continually engages in the conversation focused on improving learning.
The ICA Recognition process is one of the ways to ensure continuous learning improvement. This process successfully guided Sekolah Cita Buana to enhance the mindsets for teachers, recover learning and patch development gaps among the children. The ICA Recognition process helped to measure the effectiveness of the curriculum implementation at Sekolah. The school was guided and encouraged to continue confirming the understanding of the curriculum implementation and improve the learning for all young learners.
This is an advertorial from International Curriculum Association.
Sarah Blackmore is the Director of the International Curriculum Association. You can connect with her on LinkedIn. Julie Purnami Nugroho is the Principal of Early Years and Primary at Sekolah Cita Buana in Jakarta, Indonesia
