Not International, Deputy Minister Stella Christie Reveals Reason for Choosing Public School for Son

Indonesian Deputy Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, Stella Christie, has opted to enroll her son, Bayu, in a public elementary school in Jakarta, eschewing international schools. Christie, a Harvard graduate, shared her parenting journey on Instagram, highlighting her decision to prioritize her son's connection to Indonesian identity and culture.

Christie explained that the choice was made so Bayu could "truly learn to be Indonesian." She believes immersion in the local environment, culture, and community is crucial for his development, fostering a sense of belonging without exclusivity. This approach also emphasizes learning to read and write in Bahasa Indonesia, the mother tongue, a principle she applied even when living in Beijing, where Bayu attended a Mandarin-immersion school.

The decision came after a challenging period of long-distance parenting. For about 1 year and 8 months, Christie managed her responsibilities as deputy minister from Jakarta while her son lived in Beijing with her husband, Bartlomiej Czech, a professor at Tsinghua University. This arrangement aimed to maintain Bayu's stability during a time of significant family changes.

Despite initial doubts, Christie and her husband ultimately decided that spending quality time together was paramount. They recognized the value of shared moments and concluded that having Bayu attend school in Indonesia would allow for greater family cohesion. The move signifies a deep commitment to nurturing Bayu's Indonesian roots and ensuring he experiences the richness of his home country's culture firsthand.