JAKARTA - Amidst technological disruption, social change, and the character crisis of the younger generation, the role of teachers in Indonesia is increasingly complex and crucial. Not only as teachers in the classroom, teachers are now required to be learning facilitators, emotional counselors, and innovators in presenting meaningful learning experiences.
Jaspal Sidhu, founder and CEO of Singapore Intercultural School (SIS) and Inspirasi Schools, emphasized that the future of Indonesian education lies in the quality of teachers, not in the grandeur of school buildings.
"The building means nothing if the teacher is not ready. Children do not need teachers who know everything, but teachers who care and want to continue learning," said Sidhu, quoted on Thursday, May 22.
Jaspal often emphasizes that affordability and accessibility should not sacrifice quality. Many institutions lower their standards to overcome the challenge of finding quality teachers outside big cities.
One of Jaspal's main missions is to prove that quality education does not have to be synonymous with high costs. From an international school costing US$30,000 per year, Inspirasi Schools can now operate in the regions for only US$2,000 per year—without compromising on quality.
“The key is efficiency and collaboration. Teachers in Palembang can have direct discussions with teachers in Jakarta or Myanmar through the school’s internal platform. Technology is used to build learning communities across cities and countries,” he explained.
Innovative Teacher Recruitment and Training Strategy
Working with Deloitte Singapore, Jaspal brings an unconventional approach to the world of Education, adapting the mindset of world-class technology companies such as Google and Apple to the classroom. The result is a methodology that not only assesses teachers’ technical skills, but also measures their attitude, leadership, and empathy. These are elements rarely touched upon in conventional training.
Under this approach, educators at SIS and Inspirasi Schools are not just trained to “teach,” but are shaped into EFFECTORS—an acronym that reflects the role of teachers as agents of change. This concept emphasizes that teachers should be more than just content presenters, they should be curiosity motivators, emotional guides, and architects of meaningful learning experiences.
“We want to create teachers who are not only knowledgeable, but also can move children to discover their own potential,” Jaspal explained. With the support of a data-based assessment system and ongoing coaching, teachers are helped to continue to develop as reflective, collaborative, and resilient individuals in facing the challenges of the times.
The EFFECTOR model includes eight essential traits that define exceptional teaching:
1. Earnestness – Showing a sense of sacrifice and inclusivity.
2. Funny – Humor: Engaging students through joy and connection.
3. Firmness – Setting clear boundaries to maintain discipline and respect.
4. Enthusiasm – Enthusiasm: Showing passion and energy in teaching.
5. Consistency – Consistent: Applying reliable and effective methods.
6. Timeliness – Punctuality: Acting quickly and efficiently.
7. Open-mindedness – Appreciating diverse perspectives and adapting to new ideas.
8. Research-mindedness – Research-oriented: Applying innovative strategies to improve teaching and learning.
These traits ensure that teachers not only provide high-quality education but also build meaningful relationships with their students.
Call for National Collaboration
Jaspal also encourages the birth of more concrete public-private partnerships in teacher development, not just seminars or momentary training. For example, Inspirasi Schools collaborates with companies such as Japfa and Gudang Garam in building and managing schools in their areas, namely Sidoarjo and Kediri, East Java.
The government is also encouraged to adopt a more flexible model, such as in several Middle Eastern countries, where schools are privately managed for several years with clear performance targets, then returned to the state in a ready-to-operate condition.
Major changes in education can only be achieved if Indonesia begins to view teachers as strategic assets for national development.
"If we want children to be ready for the future, we have to start with their teachers. Not from the building, but from their hearts and minds," he said.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
