Sekolah Nusa Alam and Mandalika Intercultural School join forces

‘Together for Lombok.’ That’s what the architects of Lombok’s new Secondary School Alliance said in Mataram on the first day of the alliance.  

In July 2024, secondary students from Mandalika Intercultural School and Sekolah Nusa Alam began an innovative program, joining classes to study subjects like Business Studies, Mathematics, and Science.

‘This is a strategic alliance,’ explained Peter Ball, board member from Mandalika Intercultural School. ‘The aim is to enrich the educational experience for students at the two schools.’ 

The alliance is expected to improve efficiency by sharing resources, such as staff, administration systems, and teaching aides.

Dr Sopantini, one of the founders of Sekolah Nusa Alam, agreed. ‘It’s all about improving outcomes for the students,’ the education expert said. ‘With the Alliance we can provide a wider range of opportunities for growth and learning than would be possible if the two schools operated independently. Beginning this month, we are integrating secondary classes to provide Lombok students with a premium secondary education, following the Cambridge pathway.’ 

Established in January 2000, Sekolah Nusa Alam is licensed to teach both a national and an international curriculum. The school has adopted the Cambridge International Curriculum and is an Accredited Testing Centre for Cambridge IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) and A-levels in years 10-12. From pre-school to Year 12, the school has an enrolment of 200 children and young people.  

Mandalika Intercultural School is a small but rapidly growing school in Kuta, Lombok. Founded in 2016, the school currently enrols around 100 students. It recently transitioned to a Cambridge based curriculum and became accredited to teach Cambridge in August 2023.

While meeting the requirements of the Indonesian curriculum, the two schools offer the academically stimulating International Cambridge Curriculum, delivered in English. This program is widely recognized and is accepted at universities throughout the world.

‘We want every student to have an experience of school that is engaging, steeped in real-life problem solving, and connected with 21^st Century learning skills,’ explained Jason Austin, Deputy Principal, and coordinator of the Alliance at Sekolah Nusa Alam. ‘The curriculum develops lifelong learners that are resilient, critical thinkers, empathetic and responsible global citizens.’ 

Both schools provide an English language environment. Both provide highly qualified teachers. Both provide classes from early childhood to secondary levels. Mandalika Intercultural School is housed in a brand-new campus in the heart of Kuta, Lombok. Since 2018, Sekolah Nusa Alam has been in a purpose-built international campus in the exclusive Grand Natura housing complex in Mataram City. 

Sekolah Nusa Alam has a new principal. Yusaf Khalil, a British citizen, has been working in schools in Jakarta and Bali for 28 years. ‘The Alliance offers our students a quality academic education’, he said, ‘the freedom to explore their studies and valuable youthful experiences to help them pursue a life of purpose and impact in the modern world, is supported every step of the way by our teachers and supporting faculty.’ 

Chris Bradshaw, also from the UK, is principal of Mandalika Intercultural School. Chris moved to Lombok with his family in July 2022. ‘Since I arrived in Lombok with my wife and four children,’ said Chris, ‘I have been humbled and amazed by the sheer warmth and kindness of those we have met. As you walk through our new state-of-the-art school campus and peer into our classrooms, you see and feel what the country we are living and learning in represents – Bhinneka Tunggal Ika – unity in diversity.’

A new chapter has begun for the young people of Lombok – both expatriates and Indonesian. And the smiles on the faces of children, teachers and parents say it all.

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