Learning From High School Experiences, Ernest Prakasa Chooses Schools That Support His Children's Art Talents

Ernest Prakasa and Meira Anastasia. (VOI Team)

JAKARTA - Ernest Prakasa has more consideration when talking about children's education. The 43-year-old director and producer believes that schools are not always academic matters, but also non-adamic matters.

His belief is based on his own experience in high school. At that time, Ernest said, his teenage life became less colorful because it only focused on achieving academic value without any room for self-development in other fields.

"For me, high school was not happy," Ernest told the media crew at Pejaten, South Jakarta, Saturday, November 8.

Karena (only) learning, learning, learning. Dikejar harus punya nilai, tidak diecourage atau disfacilitasi untuk kegiatan nonakademik, lanjutnya. Ekskulnya juga sejalah ada saja. Jadi, masa sekolah lah memorinya buruk.

This experience made Ernest and his wife, Meira Anastasia, more selective in choosing schools for their daughter, Sky, who is said to have great talent in the arts.

Both of them are trying to find a school that can provide a forum for Sky to develop without feeling pressured by academic demands.

"How can our child, who has been seen his talent since childhood in art, not in an academic, can have a place where he can develop and not stress," said Ernest.

Luckily, they found the Kolese Gonzaga High School, a school that was considered ideal and located not far from home, and was able to support its students to channel the potential of nonacademics.

"Earlier I heard the presentation of the Senate chairman who said the minimum bare value. The term is cool, from Yes, the important thing is not to rot too much. But still excel," said Ernest with a smile.

In my opinion, this school fully supports non-adamic activities. So, it's not just a complement, but an important part of student life. High school students have a lot of energy that needs to be explored in order to pursue joy," he continued.

In addition, Pater Eduard Calistus as principal of the Kolese Gonzaga High School emphasized that their school vision was indeed focused on character formation and balance between academics and creativity.

"Prospective students who come here are selected according to the soul and character we need in Kolese, with their own uniqueness," said Pater Eduard.

"We are looking for children who live, have creativity, have the potential to develop, and are ready to be formed to match our ideals to be men or women with and for others," he added.

One form of support for student development can be seen from the annual Gonzaga Festival event, which will be held again on November 8, 2025. This event presents various inter-school competitions in Jakarta, not only in the academic field, but also in arts and sports.

"The event is filled with two main fields, namely sports such as basketball, mini Soccer, volleyball, table tennis and art, ranging from music, dance, debate, to story telling," said Pater Eduard.

"Schools participating are not only from Jakarta, but also from Bandung and Yogyakarta, such as the Kouse De Britto, Santa Angela High School, and others," he concluded.