Indonesia Mengajar Roadshow: Open Your Eyes and Hearts for Education
By Muhammad Fikri
Editor Muhammad Fikri
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id - Indonesia Mengajar Roadshow was an event held by Gerakan Indonesia Mengajar, a non-profit organization that focuses on education in Indonesia, featuring Anies Baswedan, founder of the movement, and the newly returned, first batch of Pengajar Muda (Young Educators) who served for a year as a teacher in Indonesia's remote areas. There are also performances from KPA ITB (ITB's Angklung Orchestra) and a collaboration between Pengajar Muda and a troupe of street musicians educated by the late Harry Roesli.
The roadshow opened with a delightful performance from KPA ITB and the street musicians. Afterwards, a video was shown, featuring various youth communities in Bandung: Gerakan Bikin Pintar Anak Pesisir, ITB Mengajar, Young Changemakers Indonesia, Greneeration Indonesia, Sahabat Kota, Book for Mountain, and Coin a Chance, all highlighting their concerns on education, environment, and the children of Bandung.
Concerned, and Taking Part
Anies Baswedan then explained saddening data and facts about education in Indonesia. The current distribution of teacher is unequal; statistics show that 21% of schools in urban areas are in shortage of teachers. Rural areas face a similar, or even, worse condition, where 37% of schools are in shortage of teachers. In remote areas, the percentage increases into 64%. Pengajar Muda is an effort to fill the discrepancies. Pengajar muda who were present on stage to share their experience were
Aline (Biology 2005), Adi (Electrical Engineering 2004), dan Aji who was an alum of Institut Pertanian Bogor. They shared their inspiring experiences that, according to them, have changed their live. Aline, who teached in Majene, Province of West Sulawesi, said that because of the deep-rooted patriarchy of the society, women are seen as a second-class citizen. The villages in which Pengajar Muda served sometimes even lacked clean water, and because of the unavailability of cellphone signal, it is very hard for the Pengajar Muda to keep in touch with their family. But Pengajar Muda who served to those areas didn't consider those challenges as a sacrifice. "It isn't. It's an honor for me," said Aji, quoting one of the trainers on the intensive preparation camp.
Inspiring Other Students
The audience are just as enthusiastic as Anies Baswedan and the rest of the Pengajar Muda team. Marsha from Environmental Engineering 2008 came to the roadshow after another Pengajar Muda from the first batch, Dika, shared his experiences to the members of ITB's Environmental Engineering Students Society (HMTL ITB).
Marsha, who already dreamed abut establishing a school in the future, said that after the roadshow, she became more certain about her future. "Outside, there are still plenty of things to be taken care of," she said.
For Riza (architecture 2008), he came to listen straight from the Pengajar Muda themselves, whom he has been following through the internet. Riza is aspiring to participate in the next batch, right after college. "Movements like this are proof that there are lots of people who still care, and optimistic, about his country," he said. "We have to be optimistic!"
Concerned, and Taking Part
Anies Baswedan then explained saddening data and facts about education in Indonesia. The current distribution of teacher is unequal; statistics show that 21% of schools in urban areas are in shortage of teachers. Rural areas face a similar, or even, worse condition, where 37% of schools are in shortage of teachers. In remote areas, the percentage increases into 64%. Pengajar Muda is an effort to fill the discrepancies. Pengajar muda who were present on stage to share their experience were
Aline (Biology 2005), Adi (Electrical Engineering 2004), dan Aji who was an alum of Institut Pertanian Bogor. They shared their inspiring experiences that, according to them, have changed their live. Aline, who teached in Majene, Province of West Sulawesi, said that because of the deep-rooted patriarchy of the society, women are seen as a second-class citizen. The villages in which Pengajar Muda served sometimes even lacked clean water, and because of the unavailability of cellphone signal, it is very hard for the Pengajar Muda to keep in touch with their family. But Pengajar Muda who served to those areas didn't consider those challenges as a sacrifice. "It isn't. It's an honor for me," said Aji, quoting one of the trainers on the intensive preparation camp.
Inspiring Other Students
The audience are just as enthusiastic as Anies Baswedan and the rest of the Pengajar Muda team. Marsha from Environmental Engineering 2008 came to the roadshow after another Pengajar Muda from the first batch, Dika, shared his experiences to the members of ITB's Environmental Engineering Students Society (HMTL ITB).
Marsha, who already dreamed abut establishing a school in the future, said that after the roadshow, she became more certain about her future. "Outside, there are still plenty of things to be taken care of," she said.
For Riza (architecture 2008), he came to listen straight from the Pengajar Muda themselves, whom he has been following through the internet. Riza is aspiring to participate in the next batch, right after college. "Movements like this are proof that there are lots of people who still care, and optimistic, about his country," he said. "We have to be optimistic!"
