Overseas Chinese Education In Indonesia

Separate privately supported Chinese education in Indonesia has performed the political function of intensifying Chinese separateness, and, thus, retarding assimilation into the larger Indonesian society. In addition, private Chinese education has contributed importantly to the cohesion of that minority community. Education was the chief means by which the Chinese businessmen's organizations sought to dissolve regional and linguistic differences which alienated factions of the Chinese community. Through the use of a uniform language of instruction, Chinese curriculum materials, and a. common interest in Chinese politics and culture, the Chinese schools had great success in reducing overseas Chinese differences.