The John Locke Institute, known to be affiliated with esteemed universities such as Oxford and Princeton, holds an annual essay competition to challenge and seek for the best and brightest minds from over 50 countries. Out of 35,000 participants, one Indonesian student from Global Jaya School, Shakira Ilmansyah, stood out as a finalist in the philosophy category with her essay on the topic of “Do we have any good reason to trust our moral intuition?”
The John Locke Essay Competition itself is no ordinary endeavour; it poses some of the most thought-provoking questions across fields like philosophy, politics, and psychology. Shakira’s chosen topic led her on a month-long research journey, a feat made possible by Global Jaya School’s academic support and resources. Because of the school’s free access to JSTOR, Shakira was able to explore academic journals and articles from the world’s best researchers, which provided her platform that helped her philosophical exploration on moral intuition and rationality.
More than just providing access to information, Global Jaya School helps students to cultivate critical thinking and self-driven inquiry. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, Global Jaya prepares students to engage deeply with challenging subjects. Shakira credits the school’s rigorous IB curriculum for equipping her with the skills needed to tackle complex questions thoughtfully, guiding her through a structured yet flexible approach to essay writing. The school’s emphasis on developing IB Learner Profile attributes—like being an inquirer, thinker, and risk-taker—gives students like Shakira the confidence to pursue ambitious goals in academia and beyond.
Shakira’s essay journey, from initial research to final edits, illustrates the impact of Global Jaya’s supportive academic environment. Her teachers encouraged her to explore her unique perspective on moral intuition, balancing structured guidance with room for creativity. Shakira also exchanged ideas with her peers, proving that the school’s collaborative culture encourages students to view issues from multiple perspectives. This community support proved invaluable for Shakira’s preparation, giving her insights that elevated her argument and strengthened her essay.
The facilities at Global Jaya School are tailored to provide students with the resources they need to excel at a global level. In addition to JSTOR access, the school utilises internationally recognized assessments like Cat4 and iREADY, alongside internal and external IB assessments, ensuring that students can benchmark themselves against global standards.
Beyond academics, Shakira’s story exemplifies the transformative power of experiences like the John Locke Essay Competition. During the awards ceremony in the UK, she had the opportunity to meet other passionate thinkers, an encounter that sparked her dreams of studying abroad. Visiting Oxford University, she felt that her aspirations were no longer distant dreams but attainable goals. This visit instilled in her a new drive to pursue opportunities that once seemed out of reach, a journey made possible by the solid foundation provided by Global Jaya School.
In her advice to aspiring students, Shakira encourages them to “just go for it,” noting that every experience, whether it leads to a win or not, is valuable. This mindset is echoed in Global Jaya’s approach to learning, where students are motivated to challenge themselves and believe in the power of their ideas. With facilities, resources, and a curriculum that nurtures critical thinking, Global Jaya School provides a supportive environment for students aiming to make a mark on the world stage.
To learn more about Global Jaya School’s facilities and programs, visit globaljaya.com
