Cari Tahu Mengapa Tidak Semua Anak Cocok Belajar di Sekolah Formal

Homeschooling International

Banyak orang tua masih berpikir bahwa sekolah formal adalah satu-satunya pilihan untuk mendidik anak. Wajar saja, karena pola asuh generasi sebelumnya membentuk mindset bahwa keberhasilan pendidikan hanya datang dari sekolah formal seperti SD, SMP, SMA, hingga perguruan tinggi.

Padahal, dalam dunia pendidikan dikenal juga istilah sekolah non formal, yaitu jalur pendidikan alternatif di luar sistem formal. Contohnya bimbingan belajar, homeschooling, kursus, pesantren, pusat pelatihan keterampilan, atau sekolah komunitas.

Perbedaan utamanya:

Aspek Sekolah Formal Sekolah Non Formal
Sistem Terstruktur, berjenjang, mengikuti kurikulum pemerintah Fleksibel, bisa menyesuaikan kebutuhan anak
Metode Belajar Lebih banyak satu arah dari guru ke siswa Partisipatif, kolaboratif, kadang berbasis proyek
Penilaian Standar ujian nasional, nilai rapor Bisa berbasis portofolio, karya, atau keterampilan
Tujuan Menyamakan standar pendidikan untuk semua siswa Mengembangkan minat, bakat, dan kemandirian anak

Dengan memahami perbedaan ini, orang tua jadi lebih terbuka melihat bahwa ada banyak jalan menuju kesuksesan anak, bukan hanya lewat jalur formal.

Mengapa Tidak Semua Anak Cocok di Sekolah Formal?

perbedaan sekolah formal dan non formal

Sekolah formal punya kontribusi besar terhadap kemajuan peradaban manusia. Banyak tokoh dunia lahir dari sekolah formal. Namun, realitanya tidak semua anak merasa nyaman dan berkembang di dalamnya.

Beberapa alasan anak tidak cocok dengan sekolah formal antara lain:

  1. Kurikulum yang kaku – materi pelajaran sudah ditentukan pemerintah, sehingga tidak selalu sesuai dengan minat anak.
  2. Metode satu arah – guru sering menjadi pusat, sedangkan anak hanya menerima. Tidak semua anak cocok dengan pola pasif seperti ini.
  3. Kurangnya ruang eksplorasi – kreativitas dan bakat unik kadang terabaikan karena fokus utama pada akademik.
  4. Tuntutan standar yang seragam – setiap anak dipaksa mengikuti tempo yang sama, padahal kemampuan dan gaya belajar berbeda.

Sebuah riset dari Cambridge University Press & Assessment menemukan bahwa sebagian siswa merasa tidak terhubung dengan pendidikan formal. Bahkan, beberapa sekolah internasional melaporkan angka putus sekolah yang cukup tinggi. Sebaliknya, banyak siswa lebih bersemangat ketika berada di lingkungan belajar yang lebih fleksibel, kreatif, dan memberi ruang kemandirian.

Tanda Anak Tidak Nyaman di Sekolah Formal

perbedaan sekolah formal dan non formal

Orang tua bisa mengenali tanda-tanda anak tidak cocok dengan sekolah formal, misalnya:

  • Sering stres atau tertekan setiap kali masuk sekolah.
  • Prestasi stagnan, meski anak sudah belajar keras.
  • Enggan pergi ke sekolah dan sering mencari alasan untuk bolos.
  • Lebih antusias belajar di luar kelas, misalnya lewat aktivitas seni, olahraga, atau eksplorasi mandiri.
  • Kesulitan beradaptasi dengan aturan ketat dan jadwal padat.

Jika tanda-tanda ini muncul, bisa jadi anak lebih membutuhkan pendekatan pendidikan yang berbeda.

Jangan Takut Memilih Sekolah Non Formal

Masih ada stigma bahwa sekolah non formal tidak sebaik sekolah formal. Padahal, jalur non formal justru bisa menjadi solusi terbaik untuk anak yang tidak cocok dengan sistem formal.

Beberapa keunggulan sekolah non formal:

  • Fleksibilitas waktu – anak bisa belajar sesuai ritme dan kemampuan.
  • Metode variatif – pembelajaran bisa berbasis proyek, praktik, atau diskusi.
  • Lebih personal – rasio guru dan siswa lebih kecil, sehingga perhatian lebih intensif.
  • Menggali minat bakat – anak diberi ruang untuk fokus pada bidang yang mereka sukai.
  • Mengurangi tekanan akademik – anak bisa berkembang tanpa harus selalu dibandingkan dengan standar nilai.

Contohnya, banyak anak yang menonjol dalam seni, olahraga, atau keterampilan teknis justru menemukan jalannya melalui sekolah non formal.

Kapan Harus Memilih Sekolah Formal atau Non Formal?

Tidak ada jawaban tunggal yang benar. Semua tergantung pada kebutuhan anak. Berikut panduan sederhana:

Pilih sekolah formal jika:

  • Anak nyaman mengikuti sistem yang terstruktur.
  • Orang tua ingin jalur pendidikan konvensional dengan ijazah resmi.
  • Anak punya target melanjutkan ke perguruan tinggi negeri/luar negeri.

Pilih non sekolah formal jika:

  • Anak merasa stres dengan sistem formal.
  • Anak punya minat kuat di bidang tertentu yang tidak diakomodasi sekolah formal.
  • Orang tua ingin pendidikan lebih personal dan fleksibel.

Beberapa keluarga bahkan memilih kombinasi, misalnya tetap mendaftarkan anak ke sekolah formal, tetapi mendukungnya dengan kursus, homeschooling sebagian, atau pelatihan non formal.

Jakarta Academics: Perpaduan Sekolah Formal dan Non Formal

Di Indonesia mulai muncul institusi pendidikan yang menggabungkan keunggulan dua jalur ini. Salah satunya Jakarta Academics, yang menerapkan pendekatan hybrid.

Di sini, siswa tetap mengikuti kurikulum formal sebagai dasar, namun metode pengajaran lebih terbuka: ada proyek kolaboratif, diskusi, hingga program pengembangan minat. Dengan begitu, anak bisa mendapatkan ijazah resmi sekaligus pengalaman belajar yang lebih kreatif.

Kesimpulan

Pendidikan bukan soal memilih antara sekolah formal atau sekolah non formal saja, melainkan bagaimana orang tua bisa memahami kebutuhan anak.

  • Sekolah formal cocok untuk anak yang nyaman dengan sistem terstruktur.
  • Sekolah non formal memberikan ruang bagi anak yang butuh fleksibilitas dan pendekatan personal.
  • Kombinasi keduanya juga bisa menjadi solusi terbaik.

Yang terpenting, jangan memaksa anak mengikuti jalur yang tidak membuatnya bahagia. Pendidikan terbaik adalah yang membantu anak berkembang sesuai potensinya, baik secara akademik maupun non-akademik.

 

Recent Post

How to Get an A in A Level Business

A Level Business is a subject many students feel confident about in the beginning. The concepts often feel logical, and many topics are connected to real companies and real-world decisions. Students learn about marketing, leadership, strategy, and how businesses respond to competition.

However, when exams approached, many students realised that understanding the content alone is not always enough to reach the highest grades.

Students who achieve A grades usually study the subject a little differently. They focus not only on learning the theory but also on practising how to apply ideas, analyse situations, and evaluate decisions clearly in their answers.

With the right approach and consistent practice, reaching an A in A Level Business becomes much more achievable.

Understand the Ideas, Not Just the Definitions

Memorising definitions is often the first step when studying Business. Terms such as economies of scale, market segmentation, or price elasticity are important foundations.

However, the students who perform best usually go beyond memorisation. They take time to understand how these ideas work in real business situations.

When the reasoning behind a concept becomes clear, it becomes much easier to explain it in exam answers. Instead of simply repeating definitions, students can describe how the concept affects a business and why it matters for decision-making.

This deeper understanding often leads to stronger and more convincing answers.

Always Connect Your Answer to the Case Study

Most A Level Business exam questions include a case study or short scenario about a company.

Examiners want to see that students can apply their knowledge directly to the information given in the question.

Students who achieve higher marks usually refer back to the case study throughout their answers. They use specific details from the scenario to support their explanation and show how business concepts apply to that particular situation.

This approach shows clear understanding and helps answers stand out.

Develop Strong Analysis

Analysis is another skill that separates good answers from excellent ones.

Instead of simply explaining a concept, students develop the idea further by describing how one factor leads to another.

For example, a student might explain that a business lowering its price could increase demand. A stronger answer would continue the chain of reasoning by explaining that the lower price makes the product more accessible to price-sensitive consumers, which may lead to higher sales volume and increased revenue.

Explaining these links step by step demonstrates analytical thinking, which is a key skill in A Level Business.

Show Balanced Thinking in Longer Questions

Business decisions often involve both advantages and risks. Recognising this balance is an important part of evaluation.

Students aiming for higher marks often consider multiple perspectives. A strategy may help a business grow, but it may also create challenges such as higher costs or operational difficulties.

Acknowledging both the potential benefits and limitations shows a deeper understanding of how businesses make decisions in the real world.

Practise With Past Papers

One of the most effective ways to prepare for A Level Business exams is through consistent practice with past papers.

Past papers help students become familiar with the style of questions and the expectations of the examiners. They also help students practise managing their time during exams.

For students taking Pearson Edexcel International A Level Business, past papers can often be found on:

  • the official Pearson Edexcel website
  • school learning platforms or teacher resources
  • revision websites such as Save My Exams, which provides organised revision notes, topic questions, and exam-style practice materials.

After completing a past paper, reviewing the mark scheme is extremely helpful. It shows how examiners award marks and what strong answers typically include.

Use Different Learning Resources

Many students find that learning from different sources helps them understand topics more clearly.

Educational videos on YouTube, revision notes, and recommended textbooks can all provide useful explanations and examples.

Examiner reports can also be valuable because they highlight common mistakes students make and explain what examiners expect in high-scoring answers.

Using a combination of resources can make revision more effective and help students see concepts from different perspectives.

Final Thoughts

Achieving an A in A Level Business is not simply about studying more. It is often about studying in the right way.

Students who perform well usually focus on understanding concepts deeply, applying them to real situations, and practicing exam-style questions regularly.

With consistent effort and the right study habits, many students find that their answers become clearer, their reasoning becomes stronger, and their confidence in the subject grows.

Over time, these skills become valuable not only for exams but also for understanding how businesses operate in the real world.

From Jakarta to Paris: The Journey of a Jakarta Academics Alumna Now Studying at Université Paris-Saclay

Every student’s journey looks different. For some, having the flexibility to learn in a way that suits them best can open doors to opportunities around the world.

At Jakarta Academics, education is designed with that flexibility in mind. As an international homeschooling hybrid school using the Pearson Edexcel curriculum, Jakarta Academics allows students to choose whether they want to attend classes onsite or online, while still following internationally recognised academic standards

For Cherienoel Yazzana Pada, this flexible learning environment became an important part of her academic journey. Today, she is continuing her studies in Economics at Paris-Saclay University, one of Europe’s leading universities.

Learning in a Way That Fits the Student

At Jakarta Academics, students are not limited to one way of learning. Some prefer attending classes onsite, while others join online. This flexibility allows students to choose the learning environment where they feel most comfortable and productive.

We welcome students from Grade 1 to Grade 12, offering globally recognised qualifications such as IGCSE and A-Level. These programs are widely accepted by universities around the world and help students build a strong academic foundation for their future studies.

Another key difference is the approach to time. Instead of following a rigid schedule, students are given more flexibility in how they manage their learning. This encourages them to develop independence, discipline and responsibility. These are skills that are especially valuable when preparing for university life.

Taking the Next Step Abroad

After completing her A-Level studies at Jakarta Academics, Cherienoel decided to continue her academic journey overseas. With the strong foundation she had built during her studies, she successfully gained admission to Paris-Saclay University, where she is now pursuing a degree in Economics.

Located just outside Paris, France, Paris-Saclay is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading research universities. In the Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking), the university has been ranked 13th in the world, making it the highest-ranked university in France and continental Europe.  

The university is known for bringing together several prestigious institutions and research centres, which create a dynamic academic environment that attracts students and researchers from across the globe. For students interested in fields such as economics, mathematics, and science, Paris-Saclay offers an intellectually stimulating environment where innovation and collaboration and collaboration thrive.

For Cherienoel, continuing her studies there marks an exciting new chapter, one that began with the academic preparation and flexibility she experienced during her time at Jakarta Academics.

A Journey That Opens Global Opportunities

Stories like this highlight what the right learning environment can make possible. At Jakarta Academics, education is designed to support students not only academically, but also in developing independence, confidence, and a global mindset.

With flexible learning options, internationally recognised programmes such as IGCSE and A-Level, and an approach that allows students to learn in the way that suits them best, Jakarta Academics aim to prepare students for opportunities beyond the classroom. Whether their goals involve pursuing higher education abroad, exploring new interests, or building future careers, students are supported in taking meaningful steps toward those ambitions.

As education continues to evolve, more families are looking for learning environments that combine academic quality with flexibility and real-world readiness. Jakarta Academics offers a pathway designed to meet those needs while helping students prepare for a global future.

If you would like to learn more about the programmes and learning approach at Jakarta Academics, contact our Admission Team to explore how we can support your child’s educational journey.

Homeschooling in Jakarta: How Students Stay Social, Active, and Connected

When parents begin exploring homeschooling in Jakarta, one question often comes to mind:

“Will my child still have opportunities to socialise?”

It’s a completely understandable concern. School is not just where children study – it’s also a place where children build friendships, learn to collaborate with others, and develop confidence through everyday interactions.

At Jakarta Academics, we believe homeschooling should never feel isolating. That’s why our program combines flexible academic learning with regular enrichment activities, allowing students to stay socially connected while benefiting from a personalised education.

In other words, students enjoy the flexibility of homeschooling without missing out on the social side of learning.

A Space for Students to Connect

A common misconception about homeschooling is that students spend most of their time learning alone. In reality, when designed well, homeschooling can offer many opportunities for social interaction.

At Jakarta Academics, our enrichment program allows students to meet regularly, spend time together, and build friendships outside their academic sessions.

These activities create a relaxed and welcoming environment where students can:

  • interact with peers
  • develop teamwork and communication skills
  • form friendships beyond the classroom

For many students, these moments become some of the most enjoyable parts of their learning journey.

Staying Active Through Sports

Physical activities are an important part of both social development and overall wellbeing. Through our enrichment program, students regularly participate in sports together, including:

  • Tennis
  • Futsal
  • Basketball
  • Badminton

Sports naturally encourage teamwork, communication, and confidence. Whether students are playing competitively or simply enjoying the game together, these activities provide a space where friendships will grow naturally.

Sometimes, the best connections happen off the screen and on the court.

Learning Practical Life Skills: Financial Literacy

Education should also prepare students for life beyond school. That’s why our enrichment program includes sessions on financial literacy.

Students are introduced to essential concepts such as:

  • understanding money and spending habits ● basic saving and budgeting principles
  • developing responsible financial behaviour

These lessons help students begin building the awareness and independence they will need as they move toward university and adulthood.

A Balanced Homeschooling Experience

At Jakarta Academics, homeschooling is designed to support both academic success and personal development.

Students benefit from flexible learning while still having opportunities to:

  • socialise with peers
  • stay physically active
  • develop real-world skills

This balanced approach ensures students are not only prepared for university, but also growing into confident, well-rounded individuals.

 

For parents exploring homeschooling options in Jakarta, this means knowing that their child is part of a learning environment where they can study, connect, and grow together.

 

Speak With Our Admission Team

Every child’s learning journey is different, and choosing the right education pathway is an important decision.

If you would like to learn more about homeschooling at Jakarta Academics, our Admission Team would be happy to guide you through the program, enrichment activities, and university preparation pathways.

Contact our Admissions Team today to schedule a consultation and discover how Jakarta Academics supports both academic success and meaningful student experiences.