Bukittinggi (Singgalang, 21 July 2008): in order to create better achievements, SMAN 5 Bukittinggi keeps improving itself, especially in creating life skill programs for its students. through this program, SMAN 5 graduates will not only succeed academically, but also non-academically when they live with the society.

“This achievement improvement program is a collaboration between SMAN 5 and Sampoerna Foundation,” said SMAN 5 Bukittinggi Principal, Dra. Dian Mulyati Syarfi in a dialog with the Vice Mayor of Bukittinggi, H. Ismet Amzis, SH, Tuesday (22/7) and delegates from Sampoerna Foundation.

According to Dian Mulyati, her students are being prepared with life skill programs such as: cultivating plants, poultry and learning English and computer skills. For cultivating activities, students are introduced to techniques of cultivating soy, with all empty land being used for the cultivation.

Aside from partnering the town Agriculture Office, the school also breeds rabbits. For English proficiency, students,  teachers and staff are enrolled in language courses.

“Through these programs, we hope our students will have skills that may be useful once they graduate from SMAN 5,” she explained.

On the other hand, Adhitya Abriansyah, Sampoerna Foundation’s Program Officer explained that his organization has partnered SMAN 5 since 2006, and the partnership will last till 2009. SMAN 5 has so far shown commendable achievements because this year SMAN 5 ranks 2nd in Bukittinggi and 5th in West Sumatera.

“Through this achievement, we can see that apparently our programs have been useful and not futile. If the results remain satisfactory, we’re sure that SMAN 5 will be a model school in Sumatera and Indonesia. In fact, we believe SMAN 5 can be an international standard school if it keeps showing positive results in our programs.” He said.

To develop students’, teachers’ and staff’s quality, Sampoerna Foundation has 4 USP programs running in SMAN 5, namely: Principal development program, staff development program, student development program and supporting learning facilities such as computers, fire extinguishers, book donations, laboratory and library assistance.

In his exposé, Vice Mayor of Bukittinggi H. Ismet Amzis said he hoped the program in SMAN 5 can run well so that this grandest school in Bukittinggi can be a model for other schools.