BPK PENABUR


Badan Pendidikan Kristen PENABUR is a body of private Protestant schools under the Gereja Kristen Indonesia of the West Java Synod in Indonesia. BPK PENABUR has schools in 15 cities which are in four provinces: West Java, DKI Jakarta, Banten and Lampung. Those 15 cities are Jakarta, Bandung, Cimahi, Cirebon, Bogor, Serang, Bandar Lampung, Metro, Cicurug, Sukabumi, Rengasdengklok, Indramayu, Jatibarang, Cianjur and Tasikmalaya. BPK PENABUR's vision is "To become a Christian educational institution superior in Faith, Knowledge, and Service." Its mission is "To optimally develop the students' potential through quality education and teaching based on Christian values." BPK PENABUR covers education levels including preschool, primary school, middle school, high school and a Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan in Pharmaceutics. There are PENABUR international schools in Jakarta and Bandung. As part of its identity, BPK PENABUR has its own march composed by J. Haryanto S.

History

Pre-1950

The History of BPK PENABUR is strongly linked to the Gereja Kristen Indonesia of the West Java Synod which has already existed since the Dutch colonial era. The THKTKHKH Synod of West Java is one of the parties that were trusted by the missionary institutions of the Dutch to take over part of the educational institutions that they left behind after the end of Dutch rule over Indonesia. This trust is then responded to quickly by the Synod in a session held on 28 May 1948 in Bandung by forming a committee responsible for taking crucial steps to open Christian schools. Said committee then acquired the support of Rev. Pouw Peng Hong, a pioneer of an independent movement of churches in West Java. With the Reverend's support, the committee became more vigorous in their efforts, especially in acquiring funds and support from teachers to realize their hopes of building a Christian school under the THKTKHKH Synod of West Java.
The efforts from the Committee finally had some results. In the years 1948–1950, the Committee successfully built 4 evening schools using the old missionary institution's school buildings. The 4 schools are Christian Primary Schools which are located at 29 Pintu Besi St, Tanah Njonja St, Oranjeplein St, and 11 Sluisbrugstraat St. In contrast to the Christian schools in Jakarta which focus more on educating and involve more teachers, the Christian schools in Bandung concentrate more on building faith and involve reverends.

1950s: The founding of BP THKTKHKH West Java

After the Round Table Conference, the important figures of the Synod started intensely thinking about the condition of the schools under their custody in Indonesia. Finally, after a series of meetings, the School Committee and the important figures of the Synod agreed to found Badan Pendidikan THKTKHKH Djabar. According to a Notarial Deed composed by H. J. J. Lamers in Bandung, represented by Notary Tan Eng Kiam, BP THKTKHKH of West Java is thereby founded and separated from the church. The institution then starts organizing and appointing management. The first president of BP THKTKHKH Djabar was Ong Teng Houw, the secretary was Liem Boen Liong, and the treasurer was Lie Bo Tay. During the founding, BP THKTKHKH Djabar's assets were spread in six cities; Jakarta, Bandung, Cirebon, Sukabumi, Jatibarang, and Indramayu. The central office of BP THKTKHKH Djabar was also moved to Jakarta from Bandung following the restoration of Jakarta as the capital city.

1950-1968: The development of BP THKTKHKH Djabar and its renaming to BPK Djabar

During this period, BP THKTKHKH Djabar started expanding outwards and inwards. In 1951, a new Christian Kindergarten-Primary School was built in Kebonjati St.