DEPI Partners with Faria Education Group to Expand Digital Innovation in Indonesian Schools

At DEPI, our mission is to help schools in Indonesia access world-class digital education solutions that are both globally trusted and locally relevant. We’re proud to be partnering with Faria Education Group, a global leader in education management platforms supporting over 10,000 schools and 4 million students across 155+ countries.

For over 15 years, Faria has built an integrated ecosystem of solutions designed to support every aspect of school life — from curriculum planning and teaching, to admissions, communications, and parent engagement. Through this collaboration, DEPI is supporting Faria’s efforts to expand its reach and deepen its impact in Indonesia by leading local outreach, onboarding, and engagement across SPK, Yayasan, and government school networks.

This includes four of Faria’s core solutions that are already supporting schools across the country:

✔️ ManageBac+ for teaching, learning, and assessment

✔️ Atlas for curriculum management and mapping

✔️ OpenApply for admissions and enrolment

✔️ SchoolsBuddy for school-to-home communication and co-curricular management

With DEPI’s deep local market knowledge, trusted relationships across the education sector, and growing engagement with the Ministry of Education, this partnership also opens up meaningful opportunities to pilot Faria’s platforms at scale — helping more schools experience their value in real-world settings before expanding adoption.

To mark the launch, James Thomas, Founder & Managing Director of DEPI, sat down with LaRoy Hoard, Vice President for Asia-Pacific at Faria, to discuss Indonesia’s evolving education landscape, the growing demand for integrated solutions, and how this collaboration is uniquely positioned to support schools through digital transformation.

James Thomas (Managing Director, DEPI) and LaRoy Hoard (VP, Business Development, Faria Education Group) finalising the partnership during a meeting in Melbourne, February 2025. This collaboration will help expand Faria’s visibility and deepen its market presence across Indonesia through DEPI’s trusted local network and strategic outreach.

James: LaRoy, it’s great to be officially kicking off this partnership. We’ve had some really good discussions these past few months, and I’m excited to help bring Faria deeper into the Indonesian market. From your perspective, what excites you most about our collaboration?

LaRoy: Thanks, James — likewise, I’m really pleased we’ve reached this point. For me, it’s about bringing Faria’s global experience and solutions into what is clearly one of the most dynamic education markets in Asia. But what makes this partnership so exciting is having you at the helm on the ground. Your local knowledge and network are invaluable — you’re helping us navigate a market that, honestly, is quite complex and full of nuance. With your insight, and DEPI’s pilot-to-scale approach, I feel we’re well-positioned to build real, sustainable impact here.

LaRoy: And James, from your point of view — as someone deeply embedded in the education space in Indonesia — what made Faria the right partner for DEPI?

James: It was clear from the start, LaRoy. What attracted me was that Faria offers far more than just standalone products. It’s an entire ecosystem: ManageBac+, OpenApply, Atlas for curriculum mapping, SchoolsBuddy for activities and payments, Pamoja for flexible online courses, and professional development tools to build educator capacity. What’s important here is that schools in Indonesia are not just looking for tech — they’re looking for integrated, end-to-end solutions. Faria’s ecosystem meets that need. And equally, your team understands the importance of going beyond implementation to truly support schools. That ethos aligns perfectly with what we do at DEPI. We’re both committed to building trust and long-term relationships with schools, not just delivering software. That’s what makes this partnership the right fit.

The Opportunity in Indonesia

James: Let’s talk about the Indonesian market a bit more. From your regional perspective, why is Indonesia an important focus for Faria right now?

LaRoy: Honestly, James, Indonesia is such an exciting growth market, but it’s also one where we’ve needed a strong local partner to really understand its dynamics. It’s Southeast Asia’s largest education market, and there’s clear momentum towards modernising school systems. But I’d love to turn this back to you — you’re on the ground every day, speaking with school leaders and seeing these changes firsthand. Can you give me, and those listening, a clearer picture of what’s happening locally and where the big opportunities lie?

James: Absolutely, LaRoy. What we’re seeing here is a real shift in mindset. Post-pandemic, schools are actively reassessing their operational models — not just for remote learning, but for everyday management and long-term resilience. Indonesia is a complex ecosystem: you have SPK schools following international curricula, Yayasan schools deeply embedded in community values, and government schools that are increasingly opening up to innovation and digital tools. The government has been instrumental in this. The Ministry of Education has made significant strides with Merdeka Belajar (Freedom to Learn), empowering schools with greater autonomy to select tools that suit their context. Platforms like Platform Merdeka Mengajar (PMM) are providing digital resources and teacher training at scale. Meanwhile, Dapodik is giving schools centralised data management to improve decision-making. But importantly, schools are recognising that fragmented systems aren’t sustainable. They want integrated solutions that can grow with them, improve parent communication, and enable data-driven leadership. And this is exactly where Faria fits in. Together, we can support schools on this journey, providing them with a future-proofed, scalable ecosystem of solutions.

James (continued): I’ve spent years building trusted relationships across this whole spectrum — working with associations like ANPS, directly engaging with school leaders, and understanding the on-the-ground realities in both major cities and regional areas. What schools here are looking for isn’t just software. They’re looking for partners who understand their journey and can guide them. That’s the role DEPI plays, and with Faria, we can amplify that value.

Faria’s Solutions & Local Needs

James: Faria has a really comprehensive suite of solutions. From your view, how do you see these solutions — ManageBac+, OpenApply, and the wider portfolio — supporting the needs of schools here in Indonesia?

LaRoy: That’s a great question, James. What stands out is how well Faria’s solutions cover the full operational needs of a school. ManageBac+ for curriculum management, assessments, and reporting. OpenApply for streamlining admissions and parent communication. Atlas is a powerful tool for curriculum mapping, which is critical for SPK schools juggling multiple frameworks. SchoolsBuddy helps manage activities, clubs, and payments — all major pain points we see globally and, I imagine, locally too. And Pamoja is particularly exciting, offering online learning pathways that expand subject choices, especially for IB schools that want to broaden their offerings. When you bring these together, it creates a complete ecosystem — giving schools one integrated platform, instead of a fragmented patchwork of tools.

LaRoy: Your pilot-to-scale model complements this beautifully. Can you share how you see that approach working here in Indonesia?

James: Certainly. We’ve developed a structured approach to build trust with schools. We start with pilot schools to create clear proof points, so leadership teams can see tangible results in real environments. What’s powerful in Indonesia is the influence of peer networks. Once a school sees success — smoother operations, better parent engagement, clearer reporting — they become ambassadors themselves. Because of the relationships I’ve built personally, we can fast-track these introductions and scale more efficiently. It’s not theoretical — it’s schools hearing directly from schools they trust. From there, we expand — bringing in not just one Faria solution, but the full portfolio, so schools can unlock the benefits of an integrated ecosystem.

Building Trust & Growing Together

James: We’ve both talked about trust, and in Indonesia, that’s everything. From your perspective, how important is local trust for Faria’s growth here?

LaRoy: It’s absolutely critical. Relationships are the foundation of doing business in Indonesia. No matter how good your solution is, without trust and local credibility, progress is difficult. That’s why this partnership is so valuable. James, you bring that credibility and those trusted relationships. You understand the landscape, the culture, the decision-making processes. With DEPI guiding the way, Faria can approach schools not as outsiders, but as partners who genuinely understand and support their journey.

LaRoy: And you’ve been building an ecosystem of partners too. Can you share more about how this strengthens our shared goals?

James: Of course. DEPI isn’t just about distributing solutions — we act as a connector and trusted advisor for schools. Over time, I’ve seen how overwhelming the edtech landscape can be for school leaders here. They want trusted partners to guide them through the noise. Through DEPI, we’re curating an ecosystem of complementary solutions — like Faria — that give schools confidence and simplify their choices. Whether it’s learning management, curriculum mapping, co-curricular programmes, or professional development, our ecosystem is designed to help schools future-proof their operations holistically. By doing this, we ensure schools not only adopt these solutions but fully integrate them into their journey towards becoming future-ready schools.

Connecting with members of the regional Faria team at the IB Conference hosted by Global Jaya School in Jakarta on October 19th, 2024 — a valuable early conversation that laid the groundwork for our partnership today

Looking Ahead: Growth & Success

James: Looking ahead to the next 12–18 months, what does success look like for you in this partnership and for Faria’s presence in Indonesia?

LaRoy: For me, success is seeing schools thrive with Faria’s solutions, not just adopt them. It’s about becoming a trusted part of the Indonesian education ecosystem, with DEPI as our guide and partner on the ground. We want to see schools improving their operations, engaging their communities, and delivering better learning outcomes because of the support we’re providing together. Ultimately, it’s about laying the foundations for long-term growth, not just in Indonesia but across the region.

LaRoy: And for you, James, how do you see DEPI’s role evolving as this partnership develops?

James: For me, it’s about deepening DEPI’s role as the in-market champion for Faria. We’ll accelerate your reach, help shape your messaging for local audiences, and ensure schools see real value from day one. But beyond that, it’s about being a growth engine — nurturing the relationship post-sale, supporting with training, ensuring adoption, and helping schools realise the full potential of Faria’s ecosystem. As our ecosystem expands, DEPI will continue to be a trusted partner not just for Faria, but for schools seeking clarity and confidence in their digital journey.

Closing Reflections

James: Before we wrap up, LaRoy, any final message for school leaders and educators in Indonesia as we officially launch this partnership?

LaRoy: I’d say: we’re here to support you. Whether you’re just beginning your digital journey or already well on your way, we’re ready to work alongside you. With DEPI’s guidance, we’re committed to understanding your needs and helping you build better experiences for your students and school community.

LaRoy: And James, your final thoughts?

James: I’m genuinely excited about the road ahead. For schools across Indonesia, know that this partnership is built on trust, deep local understanding, and a shared commitment to your success. We’re here for the long term. Together with Faria, I’m confident we can deliver real, lasting impact and help you build a stronger, more future-ready school community.