Written by Jaspal Sidhu
SIS Group of Schools, Founder and Chairman

In my message last year, I wrote about how we managed Covid and delivered our high academic standards while also keeping a keen eye on the well-being of our community. I said that I was optimistic that the good times would return. Indeed, they have!

SIS has seen a dramatic increase in enrollment after Covid. Today, many townships across Indonesia are asking us to establish an SIS school, including in India where I spoke at a conference recently. We will soon see more high-quality, affordable schools in SE Asia.

The reason all this is happening is because of our focus on the 3P’s of our schools: Program, People, and Place.

Let me explain.

Our program is imbued with desired learning outcomes like collaboration, innovation, and partnership. Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and technology platforms feature strongly. Projects and school-based activities now focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to encourage our students to look at their communities and planet Earth with a keen eye.

During Covid, we did well because our teachers rose to the occasion. They delivered very high-quality online and hybrid teaching and learning sessions. We were successful because SIS teachers are known for their many attributes, including humor, enthusiasm, and selflessness. They have the attributes of an EFFECTOR (Earnest, Funny, Firm, Enthusiastic, Consistent, Timely, Open-minded, and being a Researcher). We will continue to look for such individuals.

The last P – “Place” – refers to our schools, which will see increased capital expenditures to modernize them for the next phase of our journey. Modern makerspaces, recording studios, collaboration rooms, and a green environment will feature in these plans.

As we stand proud behind the SIS Vision, I ask you to look at the terrible war in Europe. Lives are destroyed, businesses wiped out, and families separated. Rising costs and disrupted supply chains have created unemployment in this part of the world – not to mention what technology has done to take away jobs!

This seems to be the world our young children will face now. An angry world that came so suddenly after the challenges of Covid.

However, at SIS, we seek encouragement and strength from our history of investment in our Program, People, and Place. I know that every SIS child is ready to face the world, especially if they have been with us for some time.

To the graduates, I say: if you face a roadblock and your chin drops, just look at the SIS logo. Think back to what SIS equipped you with. Then walk confidently and take on the world. You will rock! Good luck!

Teachers and parents, you have played an outstanding role in the biggest challenge the world has seen. I thank you.

My best to you all.

Jaspal Sidhu,

Chairman, SIS Group of Schools