Monthly Fact Sheet AIP - CEPA

1. The Australia-Indonesia Partnership (AIP) Communities and Education Program in Aceh (CEPA) aims to contribute to improved governance of and effective and cohesive community participation in basic education in communities in Bireuen, Aceh Utara, and Pidie Jaya The Australia-Indonesia Partnership (AIP) Communities and Education Program in Aceh (CEPA) aims to contribute to improved governance of and effective and cohesive community participation in basic education in communities in Bireuen, Aceh Utara, and Pidie Jaya Engaging communities in education After school communities in all 3 school clusters in Aceh Utara nominated school committee members into formal positions, such as treasurer, Secretary, and heads of sub-committees, these school committees were formally inaugurated by government counterparts in Aceh Utara. The 340 male and 267 female committee members from 29 primary schools and madrasah are now legally responsible for the functioning of their school committees in accordance with government of Indonesia education management legislation. Newly inaugurated school committees in 29 primary schools and madrasah in Aceh Utara undertook a work planning meetings, and have socialised their agendas for this year in public meetings with their local school communities. The AIP-CEPA community Information and Education campaign went live on-air this month, with the first of a series of radio shows featuring a range of guests, to talk about pertinent issues for local schools and communities on education service delivery. Stakeholders from CEPA schools and government counterparts shared their experiences and insights with the audience during the talk show, . The program supports activities in 7 school clusters (43 State and 8 Islamic primary schools), and through them, over 150 villages. The program has a positive impact on the way in which school communities work cohesively, and education government agencies respond effectively to achieve improvements in the quality of basic education in conflict-affected communities along the east coast of Aceh. The program supports activities in 7 school clusters (43 State and 8 Islamic primary schools), and through them, over 150 villages. The program has a positive impact on the way in which school communities work cohesively, and education government agencies respond effectively to achieve improvements in the quality of basic education in conflict-affected communities along the east coast of Aceh. Improving school-based management Teachers, school inspectors, government stakeholders, and school committee members from AIP-CEPA target schools met with their counterparts from 3 primary schools in Pidie Jaya, who have implemented Active, Creative, Joyful, Effective (ACJEL) teaching and learning practices. Much was learned in the process of observing ACJEL in practice in schools with similar staffing and resource levels. The program supports activities in 7 school clusters (43 State and 8 Islamic primary schools), and through them, over 150 villages. The program has a positive impact on the way in which school communities work cohesively, and education government agencies respond effectively to achieve improvements in the quality of basic education in conflict-affected communities along the east coast of Aceh. The program supports activities in 7 school clusters (43 State and 8 Islamic primary schools), and through them, over 150 villages. The program has a positive impact on the way in which school communities work cohesively, and education government agencies respond effectively to achieve improvements in the quality of basic education in conflict-affected communities along the east coast of Aceh. Assist school committees to implement CEPA Block Grants for education quality improvements Schools and Madrasah in Cluster 1 Jeunieb have had their building designs approved by the relevant district departments, and construction is getting under way. Several derelict schools buildings have been demolished, and as many as 10 new classrooms are already under construction, and another 4 are undergoing significant rehabilitation. Monthly financial reports from all schools and madrasah in this cluster have successfully passed audits, and the second transfer of funds in imminent. At the same time, Schools and Madrasah in Cluster 1 have received their first transfer of funds, which they are using to source and contract Detailed Design Engineers, as well as establish basic administrative and operational logistics for their activities. Tender panels are being formed, weekly and monthly financial plans developed, and documentation management established. School committee members, village leaders and representatives from KPA (the Aceh Transitional Committee for GAM ex-combatants) from SD/MIN in Kuta Blang (101 men and 75 women in total) attended small group training in transparent and accountable Block Grant Management. This included simulations of tenders and contracting, weekly and monthly financial planning and reporting, documentation and archive management, and so on. capacity building of relevant education governance stakeholders Members of the District Education Council have been particularly busy in managing the election of new school committees in Cluster 3 Simpang Mamplam. They have reviewed and revised the National School Committee Handbook to ensure that election preparation, verification, and follow up practices are clear. They have supported school communities to establish election panels, and have conducted a trial of the process in MIN Cureeh Baroh, Simpang Mamplam, attended by an impressive number of parents and citizens. In Aceh Utara, government stakeholders formally inaugurated School Committees from all primary schools and madrasah in Cluster 4 Matang Kuli, Cluster 2 Muara Batu, and Cluster 3 Baktiya in Aceh Utara. Counterpart News The District Education Council in Aceh Utara launched its “Caring for Education Movement” (Gerakan Peduli Pendidikan) across the district this month. All government stakeholders in Aceh Utara supported the program. they focused and fully concentrates on how to improve the program and future sustainability. AusAID undertook their annual Contractor Performance Review of the AIP-CEPA program this month, meeting with community and government stakeholders across all 3 AIP-CEPA targeted districts. Feedback from the review will inform future program direction. Representatives from the Bupati’s Office, from the district Parliament, Department of Education, Office of Religious Affairs, and the District Education Council in Bireuen led a groundbreaking ceremony for all schools undergoing construction rehabilitation in Cluster 1 Jeunieb. Other News A small but curious team of journalists from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation visited AIP-CEPA targeted school communities in Simpang Mamplam, and interviewed staff. They are putting together a collaborative, four-part series on governance in Indonesia, including in Aceh.