Across the SEA :

In a small town in Solo, there is a school where teachers and learners not only acquire knowledge to feed their minds, but also where their faith is strengthened due to their everyday routines. SMP Muhammadiyah 1 Kartasura, or often known as "Muhjitos" located at JI. Achmad Yani 160, Kartasura, District. Kartasura, Kab. Sukoharjo, Central Java is a private Islamic junior high school. According to their current data, it has 24 teachers, including the headmaster, and more than 200 students. Given the small number of students who attend the school, they have all of the necessary resources to assist them in the teaching and learning process. They have a clinic, a toilet for boys and girls, a laboratory room for technology and science classes,a library, a canteen, a playground, offices for the teachers and headmaster, and, of course, a place of worship. Furthermore, it envisions to make the school a breeding ground for graduates with a strong environmental consciousness, noble values, and piety. While their missions are to carry out learning and guidance effectively in order to maximize your potential; to develop appreciation and experiences of Islamic teaching so that you have noble morals; to create an orderly and conducive school environment for the effectiveness of all school activities; to intensively foster a spirit of excellence among all school residents; to organize training and achievement guidance in the fields of sports, religion, arts, and culture; and to encourage graduate students who are devout, high-quality, environmentally conscious, and have skills for life and good deeds. It can be shown by this information that they do not simply promote one part but focus on all of the human aspects, which include moral, intellectual, physical, and spiritual. They value each one of them for the sake of the students, teachers, and school. Thus, there is no doubt that this institution, SMP Muhammadiyah 1 Kartasura, served as my driver in my month-long voyage as I built up all of the knowledge that would stick with me for the rest of my life.

As I indicated in the preceding section, despite the fact that it is a small school in comparison to the other schools, the facilities are adequate and sufficient to provide assistance in the learning and teaching process. It has a library where they can study quietly and visit if they need information about their assignments; a clinic where they can rest if they are unwell; a counseling office where they hold their disciplinary procedures and remedial classes; and a wifi connection where the teachers and some of the students can use if they need information about their academics; a canteen where they may get something to eat and cool down before returning to class; a small playground where they can do their leisure time; and a comfortable room with two electric fans where they can rest, among other amenities to support them academically. The school ensures that all of the students' needs are catered to for as long as they are able to provide them. Since learners should be at the top of the priority list. Precisely, they are like staffs in a vessel who, despite the limited space to move, make sure that all of the guests are taken care of and supplied with necessary things they need.

The school does what the Kurrikulum Merdeka, or Independent Curriculum, wants them to accomplish because that is the very purpose why it exists—to do what it puts forth there. However, since crossing the border is inevitable at times, they apply what are the primary needs of their students, even if they are not explicitly stated in the curriculum. With regards to: 1.Teaching-Learning Style The Independent Curriculum aims to make learners independent in their learning. Be the one in charge of evaluating, interpreting, and digesting the lesson, although in SMP Muhammadiyah 1 Kartasura, they have the students undergo the same procedure, but the teachers still facilitate or serve as the students' backup. 2.Instructional Materials According to what I observed, they do not typically use instructional materials as has been practiced in secondary schools in the Philippines. They solely use projectors to present their powerpoint presentations, and no physical materials are provided to fully explain the lesson. 3.Classroom Management Teachers endeavored to manage students despite their differences. It is inescapable to come across students that are not well-disciplined and barely grasp the concept of respect in class. I encountered several in school, but I applaud how the teachers talk to them kindly making them understand that what they did was undesirable and that sleeping in class is not a part of the discussion. In terms of the positioning of chairs, tables, electric fans, and other facilities in the classroom, teachers ensure that they are suitable to learning and that the students are comfortable with them before starting the lesson. 4.Extra-Curricular Activities They provide a space for academics as well as a space for abilities. Every Saturday, every student has to go to school to further develop their skills in sports or extracurricular activities. It may not be explicitly stated in the curriculum, but the school does not fail to put its implementation practice. Not only does this help them improve their skills in the fields they have selected, but it also serves as an enjoyable way for the students to unwind and take a break from the overwhelming academic work.

•Salim-Salim – a gesture extending the receiver's hand, with the doer placing the receiver's hand on its cheeks or forehead. It is similar to the "Pagmamano" practice of Filipinos. When walking into and out of the school, students and even, us, student exchange participants did this to the teachers. We Filipinos permit all genders to engage in it, even if the receiver and doer are not the same gender. While Muhjitos, and possibly the majority of Indonesia, do it with the same gender. Women should only salim to other women, and men should only salim with individuals of the same gender. •Big Circle consists of Teachers – every morning, all of the Muhjitos teachers form a big circle. The objective of this is to speak about the school's plans, agenda, and successes. In addition, one teacher will share something inspirational each day to start the day on an optimistic note. After the sharing, they will chant, "Muhjitos Jaya!" •Multiple Prayers in a day – I have witnessed that the students and teachers pray three times a day when they are in school. In the morning, before afternoon, and late afternoon before they leave the school. •Right Hand Practice – in Muhjitos and I found out later that all Muslims usually do this that they are advisable to use right hand only when they are drinking and eating food. As the right hand is considered pure when it comes to drinking and eating. •One Thousand Rupiah per day – the school came up with a good way to at least help the students and their parents. They give 1, 000 Rupiah per day to all of the students. It may seem like an insignificant amount of money to others, but it means a lot to them, especially those who have had a difficult life.