Begawan Guru

Preparing Bali’s future leaders through progressive education

Every afternoon in the village of Melinggih Kelod, a charming scene would unfold on the road outside the Begawan Guru Learning Centre.

Parents, grandparents, siblings, and relatives arrived on motorcycles to drop children off at Begawan’s after-school learning centre. The children, aged six to eleven, attended a free educational programme developed and sponsored by the Begawan Foundation. From 1pm to 5pm, six days a week, they were given opportunities to develop their skills and understanding of the world — not through rote memorisation, repetition, or exams, but through meaningful, hands-on activities tailored specifically for Balinese children.

Children attending Begawan Guru's free after-school program, receiving a quality education through engaging activities.

oung students at Begawan Guru's Learning Centre, working together on a creative project.

Begun in 2000 as a free kindergarten within the Begawan Giri Estate, Begawan’s educational initiative was founded on the belief that all children deserve access to quality education, regardless of their socio-economic background. Over more than two decades, the initiative evolved from a small kindergarten into a weekend community club in Sibang, and later into a dedicated learning centre in Melinggih Kelod, with its own progressive curriculum and approach to community education. The core aim of the initiative was to empower children from Bali’s rural villages to break the cycle of poverty through education.

Begawan Guru students learning about nature and sustainability through hands-on activities.

Begawan Guru teachers interacting with students, fostering a positive and engaging learning atmosphere.

Begawan Guru employed three full-time and six part-time teachers. The Learning Centre did not have rows of desks or chairs facing whiteboards — instead, students sat in circles or worked in small groups, guided by facilitators who encouraged enthusiastic participation. The children were free to express their ideas and opinions, and were supported in addressing challenges collaboratively in mixed-age groups. Achievement was measured through consistent attendance and perseverance in learning. At the end of each term, students worked on a final project that required them to apply the knowledge they had gained over the preceding months.

A student participating in an outdoor learning activity at Begawan Guru, fostering a connection with the environment.

Begawan Guru students engaged in a nature-based learning experience, promoting environmental awareness and stewardship.

Despite its seemingly unstructured atmosphere, Begawan’s progressive programme followed a meticulously crafted curriculum encompassing four areas of study.

Thematic classes offered transdisciplinary exploration under themes such as soil and farming, dwellings, and the science of cooking. Practical entrepreneurial activities developed skills and mindsets to help students create future work and business opportunities for themselves and their communities. Proficiency lessons focused on Literacy, Numeracy, and Basic Computer skills, complementing the formal education received in school. Extracurricular classes enabled exploration of personal interests such as dance, karate, cooking, and the Balinese language.

Begawan Guru students working together, showcasing the emphasis on teamwork and creativity in their learning.

Young students at Begawan Guru collaborating on a creative project, fostering imagination and teamwork.

The Begawan motto, Learning by Doing, was embodied in its progressive education model, which emphasised active learning in relevant, real-world contexts. Children were often seen outside the classroom: building bamboo structures as part of an architecture theme, assisting Begawan’s farmers in transplanting seedlings, or learning from local and international experts in fields such as culinary arts, conservation, and biomimicry.

In addition to the academic programme, Begawan Guru provided a range of student services. These included health checks, one-on-one tutoring and counselling, transport support, communication skills classes, and daily nutritious meals.

Students actively engaged in a hands-on project, demonstrating the practical application of knowledge at Begawan Guru.

Students actively engaged in a hands-on project, demonstrating the fun and effective nature of learning through play.

By delivering student-centred learning with a strong entrepreneurial focus, environmental awareness, global and local perspectives, and holistic character development, Begawan Guru has made a significant impact in the community of Melinggih Kelod.