Bridging the Gap Between Schools and Universities

This paper presents critical reflection of academic staff from different fields and universities, and education practitioner, who have been working closely with schools and district government in the field of school management, in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. It aims at sharing valuable experiences and lesson learned on issues encountered by schools and its member in developing their schools. Applying the principle of reflective journal, this paper shows that working with schools and district government has helped us to broaden our knowledge, both theoretical and practical knowledge, and to improve our practice as teacher educators and facilitator in the field of school management and school development. It also explores how the Whole School Development approach is used in developing schools. It argues that universities and schools need to learn from each other through continuous collaboration and partnership. A strategic plan of capacity building and mentoring program for school development that involve universities will allow knowledge sharing between schools and universities. It is believed that through continuous collaboration and partnership, will bridge the gap between universities and schools, the gap between theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of school management and school development